April 29. 2012 -
Here is a one hour interview on LA Talk Radio with Max Tucci, host of Max and Firends, discussing Duality in Religion. The discussion brings an understanding to the problem of duality and limited thinking. Concepts, dogma, and small boxes of thought will smother our spiritual growth unless we free ourselves from religion. Christianity, Zen, and Taoism are combined and compared to bring about a deeper understanding.
Click the link below to listen.

http://www.latalkradio.com/Players/Max-042912.shtml 

Released this week - Now on Amazon. Soon to be released globally!

The Didache: The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles: A Different Faith - A Different Salvation

Containing the Didache in English and Greek, The "Q" (Source) Document, and the Book of James. 

What form did Christianity take in the first thirty years? Before the Jewish Christians were slaughtered by Rome and before the emergence of the Pauline sect, while the faith was still under the guiding hand of James, the brother of Jesus, what did the pure and unaltered church look like? By examining the Didache, the "Q" document, and the book of James we will look back into the first years of the faith. The difference between the beliefs of the apostles and modern Christianity will astonish you. The Didache is a manual written by the early Christians, a break away sect of Judaism, instructing converts on how to be Christians and how to conduct themselves in daily life. It is a magnificent view of the beliefs and rituals of the earliest form of Christianity as propagated by those who knew Jesus best; his brother and the original apostles. By the time of the Roman massacre of the Jews (66 C.E. - 70 C.E.) there were three major division in early Christianity: the original Jewish Christians, the gnostic Christians, and the quickly growing Pauline sect that was breaking away from its more formal Jewish roots. There was a one in three chance of the Pauline sect becoming the template of the Christianity of today. Had the war between the Romans and Jews not happened or had Paul failed to convert enough gentiles to his sect to outnumber those who followed James we could have a Messianic-Jewish based Christianity today. Our canon and our worship would be different, but because it would have been accepted, orthodox, and traditional, Christians would follow it as they follow the Pauline sect now. It is only by chance, or by the hand of god that the Didache is not the main document of catechism in the church today.

See it on Amazon.com at:  http://www.amazon.com/The-Didache-Teaching-Different-Salvation/dp/1936533251/

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http://www.amazon.com/The-Didache-Teaching-Different-Salvation/dp/1936533251/

The Didache: The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles: A Different Faith – A Different Salvation

Available very soon from Fifth Estate Publishing (http://www.fifthestatepub.com)

The Didache: The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles: A Different Faith – A Different Salvation 

Didache

History and Introduction

Didache" (pronounced "dih-dah-KAY" or “didah-KEY”) is the Greek word for "teaching" or "doctrine".

The book, “The Didache” is also called “The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles.” It is a treatise,consisting of sixteen short chapters, that dates back to the earliest time of the Christian Church and was considered by some of the Church Fathers as next to Holy Scriptures.

The Didache reveals how the Christians of the first century operated on a day-to-day basis. It is not a gospel and it does not attempt to offer guidance by narrating the life of Jesus. In fact, some of the theology it contains runs counter to the modern interpretation of the theology in the received gospels.

The Didache represents the first concerted effort put forth by church leaders to teach the common person of the early church how to live and worship in the way that the apostles of Jesus had presented to their followers. This was the way of a Jewish Christian.

The Didache describes a way in which gentiles and pagans could be converted, initiated, and brought into the fold to become full participants in a shared Christian life. This unity of process and teaching allowed a community, which believed itself to be poised on the threshold of the end times, to fashion its daily life in order to share the passion of the awaited return of the Kingdom of God as preached by Jesus. In fact, it is the first known instruction manual for Christian converts.

There is evidence of its use specifically by Nazarene synagogues to define and standardize the most important points of the new faith. The Nazarenes were Jews who converted to a sect following Jesus. They were Hellenized Jews on the Syrian border close to Antioch.

Certainly, the Didache was used by Jewish Christians but as Paul influenced the Nazarenes (a sect of which he was thought to be a leader), his followers diverged from the theology in the Didache. The “Pauline Christians” evolved into a separate sect leaving behind the Didache.

The Didache appears to be an “evolved” document, meaning it has been edited, altered, or expanded over time as the early church grew and changed. There are style changes indicating the document was the creation of more than one person

The Didache was discovered in 1873 by Philotheos Bryennios, Metropolitan of Nicomedia, in a small eleventh century codex of 120 pages. He published the text toward the end of 1883. The Didache has been the center of much academic interest and controversy since its discovery. Prior to this time its existence was known only through references by early writers. It was thought the text was lost to history. 

The Didache has raised great controversy regarding its date and possible origin. Some scholars dated the text between approximately 49-79 AD. Although this is widely debated it could place the Didache as one of the oldest Christian writings in history and written before three of the Gospels, if not all of the Gospels.

Even though the Didache has been changed and added to over time there is strong evidence to suggest that the earliest section of it may have been penned during the time of the Jerusalem Council, around 50 AD. This would have it playing a role in the early church’s controversy surrounding salvation of the Gentiles as described in the Book of Acts (ca. 50 – 100 C.E with many saying 62-64 C.E.) chapter 15.

There are clues that the author (or authors) of the Didache were close to either Jesus, or possibly the understudy of an Apostle. The author clearly shared in Jesus’ opinion of the Pharisees as hypocrites (8:1). The author also had intimate knowledge of the Gospel of Matthew, or the “Q” source.

No intact copy of “Q” has ever been found. No reference to the document in early Christian writings has survived. Its existence is inferred from an analysis of the text of Matthew and Luke. Much of the content of Matthew and Luke was derived from the Gospel of Mark. But there were also many passages which appear to have come from another source document called the “Q” document.

By putting together the Didache and “Q” we have the gospel, the teaching, and the doctrine of the young church. We have a view into the heart of the first Christians.

  

The upcoming book will have the Didache in English and Greek, along with the Q document in English. What they reveal about the first Christians will astonish you.

The Didache -The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles: A Different Faith – A Different Salvation

Coming very soon - Published by Fifth Estate and available within the month!

Here are a few points covered in the book:

Didache" (pronounced "dih-dah-KAY" or “didah-KEY”) is the Greek word for "teaching" or "doctrine".

The book, “The Didache” is also called “The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles.” It is a treatise,consisting of sixteen short chapters, that dates back to the earliest time of the Christian Church and was considered by some of the Church Fathers as next to Holy Scriptures.

The Didache reveals how the Christians of the first century operated on a day-to-day basis. It is not a gospel and it does not attempt to offer guidance by narrating the life of Jesus. In fact, some of the theology it contains runs counter to the modern interpretation of the theology in the received gospels.

The Didache represents the first concerted effort put forth by church leaders to teach the common person of the early church how to live and worship in the way that the apostles of Jesus had presented to their followers. This was the way of a Jewish Christian.

The Didache describes a way in which gentiles and pagans could be converted, initiated, and brought into the fold to become full participants in a shared Christian life. This unity of process and teaching allowed a community, which believed itself to be poised on the threshold of the end times, to fashion its daily life in order to share the passion of the awaited return of the Kingdom of God as preached by Jesus. In fact, it is the first known instruction manual for Christian converts.

There is evidence of its use specifically by Nazarene synagogues to define and standardize the most important points of the new faith. The Nazarenes were Jews who converted to a sect following Jesus. They were Hellenized Jews on the Syrian border close to Antioch.

Certainly, the Didache was used by Jewish Christians but as Paul influenced the Nazarenes (a sect of which he was thought to be a leader), his followers diverged from the theology in the Didache. The “Pauline Christians” evolved into a separate sect leaving behind the Didache.

The Didache has raised great controversy regarding its date and possible origin. Some scholars dated the text between approximately 49-79 AD. Although this is widely debated it could place the Didache as one of the oldest Christian writings in history and written before three of the Gospels, if not all of the Gospels.

Even though the Didache has been changed and added to over time there is strong evidence to suggest that the earliest section of it may have been penned during the time of the Jerusalem Council, around 50 AD. This would have it playing a role in the early church’s controversy surrounding salvation of the Gentiles as described in the Book of Acts (ca. 50 – 100 C.E with many saying 62-64 C.E.) chapter 15.

Didache may have been written before Matthew, and certainly before Acts (62 – 100 C.E.). When one looks at the discussion between the apostles regarding the law and the gentiles in Acts it appears James, the leader, either changed his mind about keeping the Laws of Moses or was faced with the mass conversion of Gentiles as a new phenomenon. This evolution of insight due to the fact God saved gentiles who were not keeping the laws did not change the message from the Jewish leaders as to who Jesus was and what his mission was, to the Jews and now to the Gentiles. Even though the Gentiles need not keep the law, they must express their faith through a set of actions.

The placement of the Didache in history can be based on the following facts:

• When it was written, churches were still being led by traveling teachers and prophets.

• In its instructions on the appointment of church leaders, it mentions only two classes: bishops and deacons.


• Baptisms are still normally performed in rivers and streams.


• Prophets still preside at the Eucharist.


• The Eucharist or communion is still celebrated in conjunction with the agape or love feast.


• The absence of any theological dogma or discussion.

The ranges is wide in the speculation of the dates for the Didache, between 50 and 100 C.E.

There are clues that the author (or authors) of the Didache were close to either Jesus, or possibly the understudy of an Apostle. The author clearly shared in Jesus’ opinion of the Pharisees as hypocrites (8:1). The author also had intimate knowledge of the Gospel of Matthew, or the “Q” source.

No intact copy of “Q” has ever been found. No reference to the document in early Christian writings has survived. Its existence is inferred from an analysis of the text of Matthew and Luke. Much of the content of Matthew and Luke was derived from the Gospel of Mark. But there were also many passages which appear to have come from another source document called the “Q” document.

Theologians and religious historians believe that Q's text can be reconstructed by analyzing passages that Matthew and Luke have in common. “Q” had to be written much earlier than the four canonical gospels of Mark, Matthew, Luke and John since there are identical passages in Mathew and Luke. It may have been in the first of the 40 or so Gospels that were written and used by the early Christian movements before the controlling faction established what was to be orthodoxy and selected the books which were to become canon.

The Gospel of Q is different from the canonical gospels in that it does not extensively describe events in the life of Jesus. Rather, it is largely a collection of sayings -- similar to the Gospel of Thomas (see “the Gospel of Thomas by Joseph Lumpkin, published by Fifth Estate). Q does not mention the events of Jesus' virgin birth, his selection of 12 disciples, crucifixion, resurrection, or ascension to heaven. It represents those parts of Jesus' teachings that his followers remembered and recorded about 20 years after his death. Jesus is presented as a charismatic teacher, a healer, a simple man filled with the spirit of God. Jesus is also a sage, the personification of Wisdom, and the servant of God.

  

By putting together the Didache and “Q” we have the gospel, the teaching, and the doctrine of the young church. We have a view into the heart of the first Christians.

The Prophecy Of Saint Malachy The Soon Coming End of Days

The events of 1978 saw the death of Pope Paul VI, the election and unexpected death of John Paul I, and finally the election of John Paul II. Three Popes in one year propelled the world like a run away train toward the conclusion of a prophecy given by St. Malachy in 1139. The prophecy lists 112 Popes. The last Pope would take the seat of Saint Peter and the world would fall into anarchy. John Paul II was the 110th Pope. The Pope ruling the Holy See today is Benedict XVI, the 111th Pope, and according to the prophecy, the last Pope to rule an intact church and functioning world. The next Pope will not be the Vicar of Christ. He will be the enemy of the church, usurper of the throne and he will be called “Peter of Rome.”

The ominous prophecy has echoed through the centuries for over 870 years:

In persecutione extrema S.R.E. sedebit Petrus Romanus, qui pascet oves

in multis tribulationibus: quibus transactis civitas septicollis diruetur,

& Judex tremêdus judicabit populum suum. Finis.

(In extreme persecution, the seat of the Holy Roman Church will be occupied by Peter the Roman, who will feed the sheep through many tribulations, at the term (end) of which the city of seven hills (Rome) will be destroyed, and the formidable Judge will judge his people.)

Saint Malachy’s prophecy foretells the succession of Roman Catholic Popes from Celestine II [1143 AD] to John Paul II's successor, Saint Benidict XVI, who sits in the Chair of Saint Peter today. Malachy wrote that he was describing the pontiffs from Celestine II "...to the end of the world." At the end of the world, Malachy declared that Rome will be destroyed and God will judge his people.   




.....  264

Paul VI (1963-1978)

Motto: 108

1. Flos florum

(Flower of flowers)

Hist.: His arms displayed three lilies.

265

John Paul I (1978)

Motto: 109

1. De medietate Lunæ

(From the midst of the moon)

Hist.: Albino Luciani, born in Canale d'Agardo, diocese of Belluno, (beautiful moon) Elected Pope on August 26, his reign lasted about a month,

from half a moon to the next half...His month-long reign began with the moon half-full.

266

John Paul II (1978-2005)

Motto: 110

1. De labore solis.

(Of the eclipse of the sun, or from the labor of the sun)

Hist.: Karol Wojtyla was born on May 18, 1920 during a solar eclipse. He also comes from behind the former Iron Curtain (the East, where the Sun rises).

He might also be seen to be the fruit of the intercession of the Woman Clothed with the Sun laboring in Revelation 12

(because of his devotion to the Virgin Mary).

His funeral occurred on 8 April, 2005 when there was a solar eclipse visible in the Americas.

267

Benedict XVI (2005-)

Motto: 111

1. Gloria oliuæ

(Glory of the olive.)

The Benedictine order traditionally said this Pope

would come from their order, since a branch of the Benedictine order is called the Olivetans. St Benedict is said to have prophesied that before the end of the world, a member of his order would be Pope and would triumphantly lead the Church in its fight against evil.

While the Holy Father chose the name "Benedict", this does not seem enough to fulfill the prophecy.

Nor is it clear how Benedict XVI (a Bavarian) is "Glory of the Olives". Since he is said to have remarked in the Conclave after saying he would take the name Benedict that it was partly to honor Benedict XV, a Pope of peace and reconciliation, perhaps Benedict XVI will be a peacemaker in the Church or in the World, and thus carry the olive branch. Since this is an addition to Malachy’s prophecy, is this the Pope who will actually fulfill the 112^th prophecy, the actual final prophecy of Malachy?

Pope # 268 is either the Pope now in office, or he is yet to be chosen.

Motto: 112

In persecutione extrema S.R.E. sedebit Petrus Romanus, qui pascet oves in multis tribulationibus: quibus transactis civitas septicollis diruetur, & Judex tremêdus judicabit populum suum. Finis.

(In extreme persecution, the seat of the

Holy Roman Church will be occupied by

Peter the Roman, who will feed the sheep

through many tribulations, at the term of

which the city of seven hills will be destroyed,

and the formidable Judge will judge his people.

The End.) ....

Book available on Kindle at:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Prophecy-Saint-Malachy-ebook/dp/B007J6W7QS/

Deception from Those We Pay to Trust

In past blogs I have discussed the amazing lengths that some authors go to in attempts to appear better than they are. In watching these trends on Amazon the mistreatment of readers emerges as a pastime of some authors. It is true that you cannot please all the people all the time, but it is as true that everyone is entitled to their opinion, even if their opinion is negative toward an author's book. Of late I have seen more and more attacks directed personally and viscously at those who write negative reviews.

It works like this: The reader writes a less than shining review then the comments on their review immediately begin to stack up with personal attacks obviously posted by the author under other names and friends of the author sent to do character assassination. One review will draw 6 to 8 attacks within hours of the post. Most will begin by accusing the reviewer of knowing nothing about the subject they are reviewing. Uninformed, ignorant, and simply wrong will be the beginning themes to the comments. Amazon continues to allow this to happen over and over. If the original reviewer attempts to defend himself or herself the comments get more and more personal and caustic. It seems the most rude person wins the contest of being right in their opinion.

It is reasonable that an author will have an outspoken fan or two, but most defend their favorite author with less than personal insults and attacks toward the reviewer. It is not reasonable that any author should be rewarded for such unethical behavior. The worst part of this activity is that it is occurring more often than not from writers and translators of religious book. These are men and women ask for our trust by presenting themselves as "Scholars" and "religious authorities." Watch for commits connected with negative reviews. If there are multiple comments attacking the reviewer do not reward this type of behavior. Buy another book. Books from such an author cannot be trusted anyway.

Joseph Lumpkin

The War Scrolls - The War Between the Sons of Dark and the Sons of Light

Available in its entirety on Kindle or in "The Encyclopedia of Lost and Rejected Scriptures: The Pseudepigrapha and Apocrypha" available at www.fifthestatepub.com

 See the full catalog for Fifth Estate here.  

The War Scrolls - The War Between the Sons of Dark and the Sons of Light

The War Scroll is a nine & a half foot scroll with as many as 19 columns, found in cave 1 at Qumran. It seems to be written as a sequel or expository to the eschatological war described in Dan 11-12. The author gives detailed instructions for a ritualized battle in which the "sons of light," led by Michael, destroy the Kittim, or the "sons of darkness," led by Satan. Many scholars identify the Kittim as an allusion to the Roman Empire.

The War Scroll, 1QM, was one of the original seven scrolls found in cave one by the Bedouin in 1947. The scroll has also been called "The War Rule" and "The War of the Sons of Light Against the Sons of Darkness." It was first published by E.L. Sukenik in 1954 and was re-edited as The Dead Sea Scrolls of the Hebrew University at Jerusalem: Hebrew University and Magnes Press, 1955.

The War Scroll contains nineteen columns and is written on five sheets. The end of the scroll is missing, but its beginning seems to be intact. At the bottom of the scroll there is damage and wear. The total length of the scroll in its present state is 9 feet, 8 inches. Since pieces of the scroll are worn away or missing, there are places within the translation where words are assumed to fit the flow of the sentence structure. These “best guess” words are noted by parentheses. If there are too many words missing or the meaning cannot be ascertained so that a “best guess” cannot be provided the missing words are denoted with the symbols (…).

The scroll is a mixture of apocalyptic and legal discussion. The scroll's main theological significance lies in the fact that this is a battle against the Sons of Light and the Sons of Darkness. Although most scholars believe the story is about good and evil, this in itself could allude to a struggle between the forces of life and death. In the end, God will intervene, conquer, and save his people. There are parallels to the books of Revelation and Daniel in the scroll and it is assumed that the author borrowed from Daniel as well as other material of the day, according to the date of the text’s creation. All three books, Daniel, Revelations, and the War Scroll, share the common theme of life and light being victorious over evil and death. All point to fact that the outcome is already known, however, man must participate and is thus held culpable in the outcome.

There is controversy over the date of the scroll. Some say that the scroll was written between 50 B.C. and 50 A.D. because this is after the Roman Conquest around 63 B.C. but before the end of Herod’s reign (4 B.C.). Another view is that the scroll was written after 70 A.D. and possibly as late as 135 A.D. However, most agree the date must be some time after the Roman Conquest, because the author of the scroll describes the weapons and battle tactics of the Roman army.

The War Scroll

The Master Rule of War.

The first attack of the Sons of Light will be initiated against the forces of the Sons of Darkness, which is the army of Belial. The troops are from Edom, Moab, the sons of Ammon, the Amalekites, Philistia, and the troops of the Kittim of Asshur. Supporting them are those who have violated the covenant.

The sons of Levi, the sons of Judah, and the sons of Benjamin, and those exiled to the wilderness, will fight against them with (?) against all their troops, when the exiles of the Sons of Light return from the Wilderness of the Peoples to camp in the Wilderness of Jerusalem.

Then after the battle they will go up from that place and battle the king of the Kittim and he shall enter into Egypt. In his time he will go out with great anger to do battle against the kings of the north, and in his anger he shall set out to destroy and eliminate the strength of Israel.

Then there will be a time of salvation for the People of God, and a time of the dominion of all the men of His forces, and a time of eternal destruction for all the forces of Belial. There shall be great panic among the sons of Japheth, and Assyria shall fall with no one to come to his aid, and the supremacy of the Kittim shall cease their wickedness and will be overcome without a single survivor. There shall be no survivors of all the Sons of Darkness.

Then the Sons of Righteousness shall shine into all ends of the world and continuing to shine forth until end of the appointed seasons of darkness. Then at the time appointed by God, His great brilliance will shine for all of eternity for the peace and blessing, glory and joy, and long life of all Sons of Light. On the day when the Kittim falls there will be a battle and horrible carnage before the God of Israel, for it is a day appointed by Him from ancient times as a battle of destruction for the Sons of Darkness.

On that day the congregation of the gods and the congregation of men shall engage one another and the outcome will be great carnage. The Sons of Light and the forces of Darkness shall fight one another to show the strength of God with the roar of a great multitude and the shout of gods and men. It will be a day of disaster. It is a time of distress for all the people who are redeemed by God. Compared to all their afflictions, no day exists like this and it is hastening to its completion as an eternal redemption. On the day of their battle against the Kittim, they shall go out to kill in battle.

In three groups the Sons of Light will stand firm to strike a blow at wickedness, and in three (parts) the army of Belial shall strengthen themselves to force the retreat of the forces of Light.

And when the banners of the infantry cause their hearts to melt, then the power of God will strengthen the hearts of the Sons of Light.

In the seventh section, the great hand of God will overcome Belial and all the angels under his control, and all the men of his forces shall be destroyed forever. And this is the total destruction of the Sons of Darkness and service to God during the years of war.