June 2013

Welcome to Understanding the World

In this issue we include the abstract of an article on Biblical Criticism that was recently posted on the blog Life in the Universe. We also include some recent news articles.

A critique of Biblical Criticism as a scholarly discipline - Willie Mc Loud
In this critique I look into the scientific nature of Biblical Criticism - to what extent can it be viewed as a scientific discipline and how valid are the claims made by it? I am especially interested in the roots of the discipline in modernist times and the impact that these roots have on the discipline. I look at its presuppositions regarding the nature of reality, the credibility of the literary tradition and the possibility of obtaining an objective perspective on history. How does these impact on the paradigmatic parameters of the discipline? And what is the implications of contemporary developments in hermeneutics for the discipline? (Key words: Biblical Criticism, form criticism, Gadamer, Graf-Wellhausen theory, Gunkel, origins, Sitz im Leben (setting in life), source criticism). To read the article: A critique of Biblical Criticism as a scholarly discipline

In the news

Major changes in Syrian conflict: U.S. puts jets in Jordan, fuels Russian fears of Syria no-fly zone 
Russia and the conflict in Syria: Insight - Russia's Syria diplomacy, a game of smoke and mirrors  
Major catastrophic event after the last ice age: Comprehensive analysis of impact spherules supports theory of cosmic impact 12,800 years ago
Neanderthals and Humans: Neanderthal culture: Old Masters

Previous issues of Understanding the World

Abraham en sy God - koop 'n boek!! 

Willie Mc Loud se nuwe boek getiteld Op soek na Abraham en sy God - 'n studie oor die historisiteit van die Genesis-verhale (Griffel, 2012) het onlangs verskyn. Die volledige inhoudsopgawe word vir die eerste maal hier gepos asook 'n uittreksel van 'n resensie wat in TEO verskyn het.  Die stimulerende lekkerlees trant van die boek maak dit ideale leesstof vir 'n vakansie. Dit is 'n goeie geskenk vir familie en vriende wat in die betroubaarheid van die Bybel belangstel.(Sleutelwoorde: Abraham, Adam, antieke wêreldbeskouing, argeologie, Bybelse inspirasie, El-Elyon, El-Sjaddai, Enmerkar, Etana, Genesis, goderaad, Henog, Nimrod, Satan, Sumerië, taleverwarring, toring van Babel).
Om meer te lees klik op Abraham en sy God - koop 'n boek!!

If you find Understanding the World interesting, forward it to a friend.

Understanding the world is a monthly e-letter with abstracts of, and links to, informative articles on a variety of interrelated issues including origins, science, philosophy, faith, archaeology, international affairs (especially the Middle East and the European Union) and eschatology (study of the last events).

To subscribe to Understanding the World use Subscribe

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May 2013

Welcome to Understanding the World

In this issue we include the abstract of an article on the various views about the final world empire that was recently posted on the blog Life in the Universe. We also include various news articles.

The rise of the final world empire: the different views - Willie Mc Loud

Most Christians believe that God inspired the Biblical prophets to speak about future events, some of which will only happen during the "end times" shortly before the second coming of Jesus Christ. If this is correct [1], some of the paradigmatic events mentioned in these prophecies could signal the onset of that period to those living at that time. In this article I focus on one such event which many Christians consider to be of utmost importance, namely the rise of the final world empire. Although Bible prophecies provide many details about this empire, there are various interpretations possible. Some place the relevant events in the past, others in the future: seeing the rise of various regional economic blocks around the world, the rise of militant Islam (following the Arab Spring) or the rise of the European Union as the precursor to this empire. But who is correct? (Key words: Daniel 7, Daniel: the ten horns, eschatology, final world empire: three views, ten horns, ten toes.) To read the article: The rise of the final world empire

In the news

Ancient quarries and the building of the temple: Jerusalem: ancient city quarries reveals city building rocks
For those interested in busmen-like paintings: Cave paintings in Argentina
Sudden genetic change in Europe in 4500 BC: the result of the Flood? Modern Europe's Genetic History Starts in Stone Age
The Syrian conflict: "The West can no longer wait reacting"

Previous issues of Understanding the World

Abraham en sy God - koop 'n boek!! 

Willie Mc Loud se nuwe boek getiteld Op soek na Abraham en sy God - 'n studie oor die historisiteit van die Genesis-verhale (Griffel, 2012) het onlangs verskyn. Die volledige inhoudsopgawe word vir die eerste maal hier gepos asook 'n uittreksel van 'n resensie wat in TEO verskyn het.  Die stimulerende lekkerlees trant van die boek maak dit ideale leesstof vir 'n vakansie. Dit is 'n goeie geskenk vir familie en vriende wat in die betroubaarheid van die Bybel belangstel.(Sleutelwoorde: Abraham, Adam, antieke wêreldbeskouing, argeologie, Bybelse inspirasie, El-Elyon, El-Sjaddai, Enmerkar, Etana, Genesis, goderaad, Henog, Nimrod, Satan, Sumerië, taleverwarring, toring van Babel).
Om meer te lees klik op Abraham en sy God - koop 'n boek!!

If you find Understanding the World interesting, forward it to a friend.

Understanding the world is a monthly e-letter with abstracts of, and links to, informative articles on a variety of interrelated issues including origins, science, philosophy, faith, archaeology, international affairs (especially the Middle East and the European Union) and eschatology (study of the last events).

To subscribe to Understanding the World use Subscribe

or send your email address to the contact address given below

To unsubscribe just return the e-letter when mailed to you

April 2013

Welcome to Understanding the World

In this issue we include abstracts of two articles, one devotional ("Die profeet") and one on the futuristic aspect of prophecy. The last is a reaction on the Biblical Criticism view that prophecy in the Bible does not in any real sense foresee the future. It also reflects on the credibility of the literary tradition in the Bible. Both was recently posted on the blog Life in the Universe. We also include various news articles.

Die profeet - Dr Willie Mc Loud

"En die profete-seuns wat in Jerigo was, het dit op 'n afstand gesien en gesê: Die Gees van Elia rus op Elisa!" (11 Kon. 2:15)

Daar is al verskeie artikels oor die Israelitiese profetiese tradisie en sekere spesifieke profesieë op hierdie blog gepos. Al hierdie artikels het 'n intellektuele inslag. Alhoewel hierdie artikel oor die profeet dus op die vorige artikels volg, verskil dit tog in die sin dat dit 'n geestelike artikel is. Dit is dan ook die eerste geestelike artikel wat op hierdie blog verskyn. Ek vertrou dat lesers dit van waarde sal vind. Klik hier om die artikel te lees: Die profeet.

Bible prophecy: predicting the distant future? - Dr Willie Mc Loud

In this essay the focus is on Biblical prophecy, even though I also discuss prophecy in the wider Middle Eastern context. Three important characteristics of the prophet are discussed, namely that he/she was an oracle of God, a preacher of ethics and a preserver of tradition. A close connection, going back millennia, existed between prophets (or court diviners) and the written tradition. But what does “prophet” mean (or meant)? This calls for an hermeneutic (interpretative) approach. Scholars should not force their own paradigmatic perspectives onto the text, but listen to the voices in the text. Both the voices of the individual prophets as well as that of the age-old prophetic tradition are of importance. Certain prophetic themes, like that about the messiah, can only be appreciated once the ancient Israelite manner of understanding their own prophecies is considered. This also throws light on the possibility of future fulfillment of prophecy. (Keywords: Biblical prophecy, eschatology, interpreting prophecy, messianic prophecies, OT prophecy fulfilled in Jesus, prophecy in ancient Mari, prophets and the literary tradition, the Hebrew prophet.)   To read the article click on: Bible prophecy: predicting the distant future?

In the news

Ancient Babylon today: Bringing Babylon back from the dead

Biblical archaeology: Ancient structure discovered in the Sea of Galilee

Reasons to believe: When Did Mitochondrial Eve and Y Chromosomal Adam Live?

On the age-old financial heart of London: City of London corporate elections 

The internet - a dangerous place: The dangerous new rules of cyber warfare

Previous issues of Understanding the World

Abraham en sy God - koop 'n boek!! 

Willie Mc Loud se nuwe boek getiteld Op soek na Abraham en sy God - 'n studie oor die historisiteit van die Genesis-verhale (Griffel, 2012) het onlangs verskyn. Die volledige inhoudsopgawe word vir die eerste maal hier gepos asook 'n uittreksel van 'n resensie wat in TEO verskyn het.  Die stimulerende lekkerlees trant van die boek maak dit ideale leesstof vir 'n vakansie. Dit is 'n goeie geskenk vir familie en vriende wat in die betroubaarheid van die Bybel belangstel.(Sleutelwoorde: Abraham, Adam, antieke wêreldbeskouing, argeologie, Bybelse inspirasie, El-Elyon, El-Sjaddai, Enmerkar, Etana, Genesis, goderaad, Henog, Nimrod, Satan, Sumerië, taleverwarring, toring van Babel).
Om meer te lees klik op Abraham en sy God - koop 'n boek!!

If you find Understanding the World interesting, forward it to a friend.

Understanding the world is a monthly e-letter with abstracts of, and links to, informative articles on a variety of interrelated issues including origins, science, philosophy, faith, archaeology, international affairs (especially the Middle East and the European Union) and eschatology (study of the last events).

To subscribe to Understanding the World use Subscribe

or send your email address to the contact address given below

To unsubscribe just return the e-letter when mailed to you

March 2013

Welcome to Understanding the World

In this issue we include the abstract of an article on the seven days of creation that was recently posted on the blog Life in the Universe. We also include news articles on ancient settlements found in Israel, on the authorship of the Letter to the Hebrews, on the new pope and on scientific evidence for the origin of the universe.


Does the creation narrative of Genesis 1 support the idea of a young earth? - Dr Willie Mc Loud

In this essay I discuss the three most important views on the creation narrative of Genesis 1. These are the young earth view, the old earth view and the polemical text view. Each of these reflect the context of the community in which these views originated. Each view has a different approach in dealing with the relation between this creation narrative and the current scientific view about the origins of the cosmos. Each view has its own problems. I also develop a new approach which deals with the issues in a different way. The three uses of the word "day" (yom) in Genesis 1-2 are discussed. This essay is the first in a series on the Book of Genesis. (Key words: Answers in Genesis, Genesis 1, Genesis series: part 1, Moses - author of Genesis?, old earth view, origins, polemical text view of Genesis 1, Reasons to Believe, seven days of creation, young earth view.) To read click here: Does the creation narrative of Genesis 1 support the idea of a young earth?


In the news

On some of the earliest settlements in Israel: Evidence of stone age cultic sexual symbols found in Israel

On the authorship of the Letter to the Hebrews: Who wrote the Letter to the Hebrews?


On the new pope: Argentina's Bergoglio elected as new Pope Francis

On scientific evidence for the origin of the universe: A 'Baby Photo' of the Universe


Previous issues of Understanding the World

Abraham en sy God - koop 'n boek!! 

Willie Mc Loud se nuwe boek getiteld Op soek na Abraham en sy God - 'n studie oor die historisiteit van die Genesis-verhale (Griffel, 2012) het onlangs verskyn. Die volledige inhoudsopgawe word vir die eerste maal hier gepos asook 'n uittreksel van 'n resensie wat in TEO verskyn het.  Die stimulerende lekkerlees trant van die boek maak dit ideale leesstof vir 'n vakansie. Dit is 'n goeie geskenk vir familie en vriende wat in die betroubaarheid van die Bybel belangstel.(Sleutelwoorde: Abraham, Adam, antieke wêreldbeskouing, argeologie, Bybelse inspirasie, El-Elyon, El-Sjaddai, Enmerkar, Etana, Genesis, goderaad, Henog, Nimrod, Satan, Sumerië, taleverwarring, toring van Babel).
Om meer te lees klik op Abraham en sy God - koop 'n boek!!


If you find Understanding the World interesting, forward it to a friend.

Understanding the world is a monthly e-letter with abstracts of, and links to, informative articles on a variety of interrelated issues including origins, science, philosophy, faith, archaeology, international affairs (especially the Middle East and the European Union) and eschatology (study of the last events).

To subscribe to Understanding the World use Subscribe
or send your email address to the contact address given below
To unsubscribe just return the e-letter when mailed to you

February 2013

Welcome to Understanding the World

In this issue we include two abstracts of articles recently posted on the blog Life in the Universe - one in Afrikaans on the historicity of Israel's exodus from Egypt and one on Britain's future in the European Union. Understanding current world events is of great importance for any student of end times prophecy in the Bible. We also include links to interesting articles: on Islamists in the Sahara, on archaeological evidence for board games during the Roman occupation of Israel (see Mark 15:24) and a dispute involving the filmmaker of controversial films about Jesus and his family.  

Die limiete van argeologie en teksstudies: die uittog

In hierdie artikel word die geloofwaardigheid van die Bybelse verhaal oor die uittog van Israel uit Egipte bespreek. As daar geen argeologiese bewyse vir die uittog is nie, beteken dit dat ons om daardie rede die historisiteit daarvan moet betwyfel? Dat dit dus nie plaasgevind het nie? Hierdie vrae het baie te doen met die vermoë van argeologie om finale uitsprake te maak. Die eintlike vraag is dus: Wat is die limiete van argeologie en teksstudies, en hoe raak dit ons verstaan van die uittog. Die artikel (met voorskrif) het in die September 2012 uitgawe van die tydskrif Markplein verskyn. Om die artikel te lees: Die limiete van argeologie en teksstudies: die uittog.
 

 Britain and the EU: what future?

"The European Union that emerges from the Eurozone crisis is going to be a very different body. It will be transformed perhaps beyond recognition by the measures needed to save the Eurozone." – David Cameron

The speech by the British prime minister, David Cameron, on the future of Europe is of great importance for all who are interested in future developments in the European Union (EU). He presents not only the British position, but also gives important clues regarding the future direction that the union will take. In this essay I discuss Britain's relation with Europe, the possibility of Britain leaving the union, the new structure of the EU that will probably evolve over the next few years through treaty changes, and what the EU of the distant future would look like. And how Turkey and the Muslim democracies of the Arab world will eventually be included. To read the article: Britain and the EU: what future?

On Islamist militants in the Sahara: The lawless Sahel offers a vast sanctuary to Islamist extremists.

On archaeology: Unearthed board games shed light on ancient holy land trivial pursuits (this article is about games played by the Roman soldiers in Israel, see Mark. 15:24)
A feud between biblical archaeologists goes to court (this dispute involves the maker of controversial films about Jesus and his family, said to be based on bogus finds)

Previous issues of Understanding the World

Abraham en sy God - koop 'n boek!! 

Willie Mc Loud se nuwe boek getiteld Op soek na Abraham en sy God - 'n studie oor die historisiteit van die Genesis-verhale (Griffel, 2012) het onlangs verskyn. Die volledige inhoudsopgawe word vir die eerste maal hier gepos asook 'n uittreksel van 'n resensie wat in TEO verskyn het.  Die stimulerende lekkerlees trant van die boek maak dit ideale leesstof vir 'n vakansie. Dit is 'n goeie geskenk vir familie en vriende wat in die betroubaarheid van die Bybel belangstel.(Sleutelwoorde: Abraham, Adam, antieke wêreldbeskouing, argeologie, Bybelse inspirasie, El-Elyon, El-Sjaddai, Enmerkar, Etana, Genesis, goderaad, Henog, Nimrod, Satan, Sumerië, taleverwarring, toring van Babel).
Om meer te lees klik op Abraham en sy God - koop 'n boek!!


If you find Understanding the World interesting, forward it to a friend.

Understanding the world is a monthly e-letter with abstracts of, and links to, informative articles on a variety of interrelated issues including origins, science, philosophy, faith, archaeology, international affairs (especially the Middle East and the European Union) and eschatology (study of the last events).

To subscribe to Understanding the World use Subscribe
or send your email address to the contact address given below
To unsubscribe just return the e-letter when mailed to you

January 2013

Dear friend

In this issue of Understanding the World we include two abstracts of articles recently posted on the blog Life in the Universe  - one on the importance of the Septuagint for Biblical studies and one in Afrikaans on establishing a middle ground for belief.  We also include links to interesting articles: on free speech and religious belief (a philosophical perspective), on recent archaeological finds in Shiloh (the ancient capital city of Israel) and a critique of Critical Biblical Scholarship that appeared in Biblical Archaeology.   

The importance of the Septuagint in Biblical studies

Interest in the Septuagint has grown dramatically during the last few decades. The main reason for this is that Septuagint manuscripts, as well as Hebrew texts of the Bible which correspond with the Septuagint, were discovered among the Dead Sea Scrolls.  Since this discovery the text of the Septuagint, which differs in important ways from the Masoretic (Hebrew) text which have traditionally been used for Bible translations, has gained credibility.  Many Christians do not know that the authors of the New Testament typically use the Septuagint when quoting from the Old Testament or that the early Christian church used the Septuagint as Scripture.  Both scholars and laymen interested in the Biblical text should take note of the importance of the Septuagint in Biblical studies. The Septuagint impacts not only on our understanding of particular verses, but also on our understanding of the Biblical text as a whole. (Key words: Dead Sea Scrolls, Masoretic text, Septuagint, textual studies.) To read the article click on The importance of the Septuagint in Biblical studies.

Middelgrond in die geloof - Dr Willie Mc Loud

 "My volk gaan ten gronde weens gebrek aan kennis" - Hosea 4:6

In hierdie skrywe praat ek oor die redes vir my deelname aan die kontemporêre godsdiensgesprek en wat ek uiteindelik daardeur wil bereik.  Ek begin ook om my betoog vir 'n middelgrond in die geloof meer eksplisiet uit te spel.  As die Christendom relevant wil bly, sal hulle die middelgrond moet betree. Verder skets ek my visie vir die toekoms.  Om die artikel te lees klik op Middelgrond in die geloof


On free speech and religious belief (a philosophical perspective): The limits of free speech.

On Critical Biblical Scholarship: Alan Millard wrote a critique in Biblical Archaeology - Critical Biblical Scholarship - A Response

On archaeology: Archaeological discovery sheds light on the mystery of Shiloh

In the previous issue of Understanding the World: Paradigmas in konflik: Bybelwetenskap vs tradisionalisme

Abraham en sy God - koop 'n boek!! 
Willie Mc Loud se nuwe boek getiteld Op soek na Abraham en sy God - 'n studie oor die historisiteit van die Genesis-verhale (Griffel, 2012) het onlangs verskyn. Die volledige inhoudsopgawe word vir die eerste maal hier gepos asook 'n uittreksel van 'n resensie wat in TEO verskyn het.  Die stimulerende lekkerlees trant van die boek maak dit ideale leesstof vir 'n vakansie. Dit is 'n goeie geskenk vir familie en vriende wat in die betroubaarheid van die Bybel belangstel.(Sleutelwoorde: Abraham, Adam, antieke wêreldbeskouing, argeologie, Bybelse inspirasie, El-Elyon, El-Sjaddai, Enmerkar, Etana, Genesis, goderaad, Henog, Nimrod, Satan, Sumerië, taleverwarring, toring van Babel).
Om meer te lees klik op Abraham en sy God - koop 'n boek!!


If you find Understanding the World interesting, forward it to a friend.

Understanding the world is a monthly e-letter with abstracts of, and links to, informative articles on a variety of interrelated issues including origins, science, philosophy, faith, archaeology, international affairs (especially the Middle East and the European Union) and eschatology (the study of last events).

To subscribe to Understanding the World use Subscribe
or send your email address to the contact address given below
To unsubscribe just return the e-letter when mailed to you

November 2012

Dear friend

In this issue of Understanding the World we include abstracts of two Afrikaans articles that was recently posted on the blog Life in the Universe  - one on Dr Willie Mc Loud's new book Op soek na Abraham en sy God (Griffel, 2012) and one on the conflicting paradigm's of Critical Bible Scholarship and traditional Christianity. We also include a link to an interesting article on the ongoing secret war with Iran and one on the Dead Sea Scrolls..  

Abraham en sy God - koop 'n boek!! 
Willie Mc Loud se nuwe boek getiteld Op soek na Abraham en sy God - 'n studie oor die historisiteit van die Genesis-verhale (Griffel, 2012) het onlangs verskyn. Die volledige inhoudsopgawe word vir die eerste maal hier gepos asook 'n uittreksel van 'n resensie wat in TEO verskyn het.  Die stimulerende lekkerlees trant van die boek maak dit ideale leesstof vir 'n vakansie. Dit is 'n goeie geskenk vir familie en vriende wat in die betroubaarheid van die Bybel belangstel.(Sleutelwoorde: Abraham, Adam, antieke wêreldbeskouing, argeologie, Bybelse inspirasie, El-Elyon, El-Sjaddai, Enmerkar, Etana, Genesis, goderaad, Henog, Nimrod, Satan, Sumerië, taleverwarring, toring van Babel).
Om die artikel te lees klik op Abraham en sy God - koop 'n boek!!

Paradigmas in konflik: Bybelwetenskap vs tradisionalisme
Sedert die wetenskaplike ondersoek na die Bybel jare gelede begin het, het die godsdienstige landskap stadig maar seker ontvou in twee breë godsdienstige strome wat langs mekaar vloei en mekaar grotendeels uitsluit. Daar is baie kerke wat hulleself in die tradisionele stroom van die Christendom bevind wat die legitimiteit van Bybelwetenskap in beginsel ontken. Bybelwetenskaplikes - wat veral in die raamwerk van die gereformeerde teologie 'n tuiste gevind het (alhoewel sommige van hulle selfs daar ongemaklik voel) - is weer van mening dat die eersgenoemde groep 'n pre-wetenskaplike benadering tot die Bybel volg wat in die wetenskaplike tyd waarin ons lewe geen legitimiteit meer het nie. Tussen hierdie pole is daar baie mense wat oor die geldigheid van hierdie paradigmas nadink. 'n Boek soos Hier staan ek... is 'n voorbeeld daarvan (sien bespreking). Uiteindelik gaan dit oor die ruimte wat vir geloof geskep word.(Sleutelwoorde: Bybel wetenskaplikes, Bybelwetenskap, Markplein, Sakkie Spangenberg, wetenskap).
Om die artikel te lees klik op Paradigmas in konflik: Bybelwetenskap vs tradisionalisme


From Sudan to cyber, secret war with Iran grows
From a suspected Israeli airstrike in Sudan to cyber warfare in the Gulf and a drone shot down over Israel, the largely hidden war between Iran and its foes seems heating up and spreading.
To read this article click on From Sudan to cyber, secret war with Iran grows

On archaeology: Ancient scribe penned manuscripts linking Dead Sea Scrolls with writings found at Masada in Israel.

The previous issue of Understanding the World focused on Islam's role in the upcoming world order 

If you find Understanding the World interesting, forward it to a friend.

Understanding the world is a monthly e-letter with abstracts of, and links to, informative articles on a variety of interrelated issues including origins, science, philosophy, faith, archaeology, international affairs (especially the Middle East and the European Union) and eschatology (the study of last events).

To subscribe to Understanding the World use Subscribe

To unsubscribe just return the e-letter when mailed to you