Showing results by author "Joseph Lumpkin" in All Categories

We will examine the true place of women in the Bible and how translators diminished the place and accomplishments of women by mistranslating words and phrases. We will look at the true meaning of many Bible verses, as well as the complete text of Paul and Thecla, with an eye toward how women were a driving force in religion and family in the early church.

In early Christianity, a diverse body of texts emerged alongside the canonical scriptures, many of which aimed to fill in gaps left by the New Testament narratives. Among these apocryphal works, the Gospel of Nicodemus, which includes the Acts of Pilate and the account of the Harrowing of Hell, stands out for its rich portrayal of the events surrounding Christ's trial, crucifixion, and descent into Hell. These texts, though non-canonical, offer a unique glimpse into early Christian beliefs and the theological debates that shaped the development of the faith.

The newly discovered Gospel of Jesus' Wife was revealed to the public in September of 2012. The small scrap of codex is the size of a credit card, but it has reignited controversy over what is now mounting evidence that Jesus may have been married. Gospels and letters, some hidden by the church and some lost until recently, tell the story of who Jesus was, what he looked like, and hint at who he may have married. Were Jesus of Nazareth and Mary of Magdala husband and wife? The evidence is piling up.

The First and Second Books of Adam and Eve make up an apocryphal story, written in a midrash style, detailing the time from the planting of the Garden of Eden and creation of Adam to the time of Enoch. For those interested in angels and demons and the dialogue and tactics of Satan in his quest to destroy mankind, this book will be of special value. For serious students of religion and religious history, this book is a must-have.

Miyamoto Musashi wrote the master text on being a well-trained and competent soldier-samurai, entitled The Book of Five Rings. This book covers the tactics, strategies, and philosophy of the singular master warrior. Along with Musashi's work, we have provided the Tao Te Ching, one of the philosophical text that contributed to the development of martial arts.

In this volume, we have attempted to gather the most interesting and influential Gospels and Apocalypses attributed to the Apostles, in the hope that these books may reveal to the listener something hitherto unknown.

In his captivating exploration, Joseph Lumpkin invites listeners to explore nine of the best-known Apocalyptic books. These books uncover the hidden depths of ancient Christian and Jewish visions and prophecies of the apocalypse. Through these texts we see what the earliest Christians believed heaven and hell would be and what rewards and punishments were waiting beyond death's door. These books of apocalypse, otherwise known as revelation of the end times allow us to view what was expected in the end times and what waits for us in the end of days.

The search for wisdom has been the pole-star of humanity for six thousand years. Religions have come and gone, philosophies have failed, but those surviving wells of wisdom go deep and yield sweet refreshment for the soul.

In the winter of 1886-87, a French archaeological team headed by M. Grébant was digging in Akhmîm in Upper Egypt. The team was excavating part of the grounds of an ancient monastery, where monks, priests, bishops, and holy men were interred.

En el invierno de 1945, en el Alto Egipto, un campesino árabe estaba recogiendo abono y tierra vegetal para sus cultivos. Mientras cavaba en la tierra blanda, encontró una gran vasija de barro. En su interior había pergaminos que contenían libros hasta entonces inéditos. Según la tradición local, el padre del chico había sido asesinado recientemente y el muchacho se preparaba para perseguir al hombre que había asesinado a su padre.

There was an uneasy tension as the slave owners sought to maintain control and keep the slaves working calmly and the abolitionists began to question the moral cost of slavery. As they prepared to compile a special Bible for slaves in the West Indies, the missionaries agreed to uplift the Africans without teaching them anything that could incite rebellion. The Slave Bible is one of the most powerful examples ever witnessed of manipulation using a controlled narrative.

3 Enoch, also called The Third Book of Enoch, The Hebrew Book of Enoch, and The Book of the Palaces, purports to have been written in the second century A.D. by a Rabbi, who became a 'high priest' after he had visions of an ascension to Heaven, 90 AD - 135 A.D. The book is part of the Merkabah tradition, which are writings with the theme of ascension into heaven. The name is derived from a Hebrew word meaning chariot, referring to Ezekiel's vision beginning in Ezekiel 1:4.

The search for wisdom has been the pole-star of humanity for 6,000 years. Religions have come and gone, philosophies have failed, but those surviving wells of wisdom go deep and yield sweet refreshment for the soul. Now, the greatest books of Eastern wisdom are brought together for the sake of those seeking the path of enlightenment and liberation.

The search for wisdom has been the pole-star of humanity for 6,000 years. Religions have come and gone, philosophies have failed, but those surviving wells of wisdom go deep and yield sweet refreshment for the soul. Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, Zen, and Eastern Christian writings have served as pathways to peace and enlightenment, but the path is not easily traveled. Wisdom is a harsh master, demanding authenticity and truth. No self-delusion or protection will be tolerated. The seeker must be spiritually eviscerated.

Rendered in plain and understandable language, this little book is a wellspring of wisdom intermingled in a story even children will find entertaining. Its wisdom rivals that of Proverbs. It is a wonderful way to teach "life lessons." The Story of Ahikar is one of the oldest sources of wisdom literature. Its influence can be traced through the Koran, as well as the Old and New Testaments. The oldest version, which we can only assume to be the original Papyrus, appears to have been produced circa 500 BC. It is written in Aramaic and was discovered among the ruins of Elephantine.

The Lost Books of the New Testament - The Gospel of Judas, The Gospel of Philip, The Gospel of Mary Magdalene, The Gospel of Thomas, The 29th Chapter of Acts, The Epistle of Barnabas, The Epistle of Paul to the Laodiceans, The Gospel of Nicodemus, The Lost Gospel of Peter.

The story of Joseph and Aseneth was written between 100 BCE and 100 CE, in a midrash style. This translation is rendered in a modern, easy to read format with history, background, and commentary. Joseph and Aseneth is an epic story of love, desire, sanctification, and forgiveness. It is also a story of religious intolerance, racism, sexism, subterfuge, betrayal, and hate.

In the bible of one of the oldest Christian sects, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, are the books of Enoch and Jubilees. These ancient texts are missing from the bibles of other Christian sects and denominations. The books reveal the secrets of the Watchers, the fallen angels who mated with women. The texts describe the offspring of this unholy union and how it brought evil into the world in the forms of the Giants, the Men of Renown, and the Nephilim, who were half human and half demon.

Through thousands of years of interpreting the Bible through the lens of changing languages and societies, and varying regard to females and feminine qualities, the concept of God has become more and more male to the exclusion of God's female side of wisdom, mercy, grace, and nurture. Let us attempt to rediscover the truth and expand our understanding of the complete and perfect God. If God is our creator and we were made in the image of God, then God is both our father and our mother.

Joseph Lumpkin's compelling short study on the Book of Leviticus delves into the essential role shared laws and beliefs play in maintaining societal cohesion. Just as a nation thrives on a unified language, culture, and legal system, so too does a religion rely on a common set of beliefs. These elements are intertwined, with religion shaping culture, culture influencing religion, and language reflecting both. Leviticus serves as a foundational blueprint, ensuring religious, legal, moral, and cultural unity for a fledgling nation—a theocracy led by Moses.