Judge Cycle 4

We enter into the stories of Gideon (Hebrew name meaning destroyer one who has a stump for one hand). His challenge was the Middianites, who are linked to Abraham and Keturah’s son Midian.  For the modern reader the term Gideon probably brings to mind hotel room Bibles or New Testaments in Grade 5, by Gideon’s International. An  evangelical Christian organization of men in good standing in an evangelical or protestant church over 21 years of age. They state they take their name Gideon as follows (from their Wiki page):

Gideon was a man who was willing to do exactly what God wanted him to do, regardless of his own judgment as to the plans or results. Humility, faith, and obedience were his great elements of character. This is the standard that The Gideons International is trying to establish in all its members, each man to be ready to do God’s will at any time, at any place, and in any way that the Holy Spirit leads.

As we enter a new cycle of Judges…say it with me about what happened with Israel?

They screwed up!

(Judges 6:1-11)

So what happens? That’s right, a calling goes out…

Gideon.

(Judges 6:11-27)

A messenger comes, and through cooking, and food, and flame Gideon sees what he is meant to do. A direction is given to supplant the worship of Baal, by destroying and replacing with a worship of YHWH. It is interesting as this unfolds and you read the words in verse 11-27 how it can read like a science fiction story and makes one ponder the validity of a Paleo-Seti theology for this story.

 When the men of the town rose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was broken down, and the Asherah beside it was cut down, and the second bull was offered on the altar that had been built. ²⁹ And they said to one another, “Who has done this thing?” And after they had searched and inquired, they said, “Gideon the son of Joash has done this thing.” ³⁰ Then the men of the town said to Joash, “Bring out your son, that he may die, for he has broken down the altar of Baal and cut down the Asherah beside it.” ³¹ But Joash said to all who stood against him, “Will you contend for Baal? Or will you save him? Whoever contends for him shall be put to death by morning. If he is a god, let him contend for himself, because his altar has been broken down.” ³² Therefore on that day Gideon^[c] was called Jerubbaal, that is to say, “Let Baal contend against him,” because he broke down his altar.

³³ Now all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the people of the East came together, and they crossed the Jordan and encamped in the Valley of Jezreel. ³⁴ But the Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon, and he sounded the trumpet, and the Abiezrites were called out to follow him. ³⁵ And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh, and they too were called out to follow him. And he sent messengers to Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, and they went up to meet them.

-Judges 6:28-35 (English Standard Version)

Interesting, it was an attacked designed to weaken moral of the enemy. You see, it was showing superiority of their God over another. Or perhaps their alien fleet backing them, ala Cold War geo-politics where one was backed by one super power or the next. Could this be the same thing? As the challenge is laid down, but does not appear to be met to bring Gideon forward, in fact a message is sent out why to further challenge the leadership.

Then Gideon said to God, “If you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said, ³⁷ behold, I am laying a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece alone, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said.”³⁸ And it was so. When he rose early next morning and squeezed the fleece, he wrung enough dew from the fleece to fill a bowl with water.³⁹ Then Gideon said to God, “Let not your anger burn against me; let me speak just once more. Please let me test just once more with the fleece. Please let it be dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground let there be dew.” ⁴⁰ And God did so that night; and it was dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground there was dew.

-Judges 6:36-40 (English Standard Version)

One would think that the messengers could speak directly to Gideon, or any of the people in their language, as we have seen in previous passages. Gideon takes a risk in “putting his God to the test” at a time when the almighty was testy. What it appears is an almost first contact like scenario, where one is finding ways to bridge communication and safety gaps between the cultures and species. Where the universal translator is faulty, but there is still a desire to continue discussion and planning as allies.

As we enter into the next part of the story, it can be seen as miraculous, the few beating the many (though historically a well outmanned group what is usually seen is at most a holding force until re-enforcements), what is seen is a direct promise (Judges 7) to have their back. That is a promise of victory, how is this possible?

In Paleo-Seti theology it is Gideon’s army being backed by alien technology. This can be seen in Star Trek episodes ala “A Private Little War” that saw the Klingons arming one side of a conflict, so that the Federation had to do the same (a balance of power). Is this a plausibility and possibility within the context of Judges? We had seen in written of in the Christian Testament, with the concept of the Elohim being the driving alien species in the emergence of homo sapiens, and the driving force being the contacts between alien and earth.

It was a battle that dragged on, but with a small army, and superior technology Gideon was victorious. So much so that he was elevated in the hearts and minds of the Nation as not only a hero, but a leader. (Judges 8) One who could be seen as falling victim to his own hype, as he got the spoils of victory the golden earrings, which were then melted into an Ephod, a type of vestment worn by the highest priests, his was made of solid gold. As is noted in Paleo-Seti theology, the design of the vestments of the Temple times, were designed using the best of ancient world materials to provide safety from radiation in/around space vessels. The fact that Gideon crafted this type of garment can be seen as raising a level of protection, but also due to the value of the garment showing that Gideon has surrendered a bit into his own elevated hype. For the vestment is crafted to place him above the high priest, into an almost King like space for the people.

It is one to ponder, hence Gideon slipping into this before his death, if this is why the people surrendered to the Baalist that were in retreat. Perhaps not trusting the Elohim would step in again?

Just some points to ponder from a different point of view.

 

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Alienbrews Faith to Love to Joyful Reign

Want to know why faith matters?

Because life and death aren’t fair.

Is it really that bold of a statement? No. We as a species have tried many caste systems under many different names to hide this fact. The cultural norms of us and them, or this and that or whataboutism, what is all comes down to though is not willing to accept that life is life, death is death, and there is no reason or logic behind.

What matters is what we do with the time we have. We can either be jerks or saints. That is focus on accumulating the meaningless, or living into the meaningful (Hebrews 11:1-4).

By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.”^[a] For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. ⁶ And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

-Epistle of Hebrews 11:5-6 (New International Version)

Enoch’s deutero-canonical-apocryphal texts have created a basis for belief in Ancient Alien Theology. The concept of his ascension into the space ship to the Elohim. Enoch was a Jesus like figure who presided over 300 years of peace (Haze, 2018, p.143). Think of that? 300 years of peace in the history of humanity? How is that even possible? The writer of Hebrews points to faith, and that is understandable, for in faith you may not worry about retribution, but simply justice. You may look to only right and wrong, and be open to guidance from sources that are looking out for the best of us. Faith, also leads one as a ruler to understand that you cannot worry about fairness in life, or death, what matters is what you do with it.

The rest of the faithful written of in Hebrews 11:7-40 is a journey through the patriarchs and matriarchs of the old Covenant. The agreement of blessing, protection and growth and survival that brought the people into Egypt, then out of Egypt to the Promised Land that saw even more alien technology used to bring walls down, to protect the household of Rahab who hid the spies. It is an ancient style of writing seen in the Torah and other points of the Hebrew Bible to commemorate a new beginning whether it was in the Wilderness, The Promised Land, return from Exile in Babylon or Assyria (Ezra-Nehemiah, Deuteronomy) the story and covenant are retold to remind the people of the Elohim with them.

This is the practice the writer is reminding those in Jerusalem of. The new Covenant is a new beginning, it replaces the old. Let us honour the old, acknowledge what has been, what has been good, what has been hard, what will be lost.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

-Epistle of Hebrews 12:1-3 (New International Version)

The new Covenant is scary. It changes everything. It shatters the earthly patriarchal order and rebuilds it on the Covenant of Love. It is a scary time, but do not lose faith in the journey. Remember Jesus who went for broke, and risked it all as he believed in the new Covenant. Will you do the same?

Are you willing to be like Enoch and reign in peace (Hebrews 12:4-17)?  Faith is like Enoch, who accepted guidance, discipleship and discipline from the Elohim . What happened? Flourishment of peace. Reflect on that, what needs to be stripped from your life in positive or negative ways so that you can rest in contented peace? Do not be like Esau, who was the first born and was to be the path through which the kingdom was built. He surrendered to bitterness, materialism, and short term gratification:

¹⁶ See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. 

-Epistle of Hebrews 12:16 (New International Version)

Warning against succumbing to the old ways or for those in recovery, turning back to the addiction that is the symptom that masked the cause of the illness. Esau blamed his hunger on surrendering his birth right, but really what was at play was the thought of only the now. The moment of gratification, of pain to end and not to think longer term from that split second. For it comes down to deciding to embrace fear or joy?

You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; ¹⁹ to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, ²⁰ because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.”^[c] 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”^[d]

²² But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, ²³ to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, ²⁴ to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

²⁵ See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? ²⁶ At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”^[e] 27 The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

²⁸ Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, ²⁹ for our “God is a consuming fire.”

-Epistle of Hebrews 12:18-28 (New International Version)

Change is scary. One can succumb to the fear of the unknown. The writer knew this, and was pointing out that even Moses was lost with fear in the presence of the Elohim. Yet, the Elohim, with the life of Jesus have shown that fear is a barrier we create for ourselves. We let fear lead us into destruction as we succumb to interior gremlins-saboteurs and demons. Unable to silence them then fear wins.

Joy can become the intoxicant of life, realizing that if the change is good, like the new Covenant laid out, it takes us out of the comfortable but into a new blessing.

Joy abounds when rooted in…

Love

(Hebrews 13)

Live Love in 2019

And

Joy will reign.

 

 

 

Alienbrews 4

New covenants making the old obsolete. In a way one can say it is like starting a new job, you leave one set of rules and emerge into another one. Or when a government changes, yet both fall a bit flat. For you see each has a tie to the old. In Canada, there is a Just Society clause of social aid we expect that no ideology can supplant, in the workplace there is standards, laws and rules that apply to each. In some ways it is a situation as the writer brings us to here:

Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary. ² For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the ^[a]sanctuary; ³ and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, ⁴ which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; ⁵ and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

Limitations of the Earthly Service

⁶ Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. ⁷ But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committedin ignorance; ⁸ the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. ⁹ It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience— ¹⁰ concerned only with foods and drinks, various ^[b]washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation

-Epistle of Hebrews 9:1-10 (New King James Version)

Rote rules, that even as roles, or titles changed there was still an expectation. In the Empire there was shifts of rulers due to civil war, but still an undercurrent of expectation. No, what was being crafted by the Elohim through the lived life and death of Jesus of Nazareth was something completely new. A baby with the bathwater scenario of change, for it was not symbolism but like with like. The creator and the created had become one (Hebrews 9:11-28). The walking through of the sacrifice of Jesus being shown to be the living embodiment of the symbolism of an entire system and that now, it was not symbolic caste separation, but true equity in communion with the Elohim (Hebrews 10:1-25).

Believing you are worthy. It takes a step of faith:

For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, ²⁷ but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. ²⁸ Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. ²⁹ Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? ³⁰ For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,”^[g]says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” ³¹ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

³² But recall the former days in which, after you were ^[h]illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: ³³ partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; ³⁴ for you had compassion on ^[i]me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your ^[j]goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves ^[k]in heaven. ³⁵ Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. ³⁶ For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:

³⁷ “For yet a little while,
And He^[l] who is coming will come and will not ^[m]tarry.
³⁸ Now the^[n] just shall live by faith;
But if anyone draws back,
My soul has no pleasure in him.”

³⁹ But we are not of those who draw back to ^[o]perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.

-Epistle of Hebrews 10:26-39 (New King James Version)

Misery loves company. It is an old adage in life recovery. The concept being that the social connections you had in the darkness will pull you back when you enter into the light. The writer is reminding the gathering that ease appears by turning back (much like those in the Wilderness, wanted to return to Egypt). The easy choice though may stop the pain short term, but increases it long term for those that say you are your friends that want to drag you back are not.

It is a hard act of faith to not fall back into the trap. It is also a hard act of faith to release a survivor or dodge a bullet guilt. At different moments in my own journey I have been slammed with this. It is hard to process, from a young man in high school realizing a dating partner was actually a recruiter for sex trafficking and realizing that I had dodged it through a confidence not rooted in popularity. To addictions that claimed other friends, or succumbing to family pressures of perfection in academics-career, defining self by only one thing and when that are gone feeling the life slip away. Friends that were sucked into the drug trade or sex trade and couldn’t get out, to those that did. Family and friends that passed from illnesses that I easily could have contracted but didn’t. Bullets that literally missed, or threats to life I escaped. Watching time ravage others through their choices to dull pain.

Sitting, watching as the journey of ministry or helping destroyed the soul of others. Wonder as I sit now with my health if I had not escaped the same. Others surviving or succumbing to domestic violence. Victims of murder. Succeeding in suicides. Abused sexually as children.  Bitterness being the outcome for some, as short sojourns in fields they were not meant to be. Succumbing or chasing what “society deemed usual” in contexts, not being fully me, but watching as others crashed and burned as well.

I sit an type. Keeper of the stories. Holder of the pain. Releasing it once more. 613 can be too few or too many, but the journey of grief never changes. It is a path of faith in understanding that there is a light on the other side. A new chapter to start. Some days you stall.

Other days you can turn the page.

Chapter Next…

a step of faith…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alienbrews 3

It is interesting to take a different perspective to ancient stories and writings. Those who have read my fiction now I have dabbled in the concepts of Ancient Alien Theology and the idea of alien possession or hiding in human form. It is a concept that is not foreign to many religions and spiritualities. That is the concept of ghosts, demons and other supernatural beings, I myself have been involved in a few clearings of places and at least four remembered exorcisms. It is intriguing to reflect upon this, and wonder what if… what if these forces were not extra-natural, but extra-terrestrial?

It is what happens as we move into the fifth discourse of Hebrews in the superiority of Jesus of Nazareth. The writer challenges the notion that the High Priest of the temple systems is the most powerful, and most holy (Hebrews 5:1-4) as appointed by others. A line of succession if the Torah is to be followed through the line of Aaron or the Tribes of Levites, and to be in the presence of the Elohim, there is ritual of protections taken. Just take a read through the texts around priestly attire and you have to wonder what these ancient materials were designed to protect against, the metals used, perhaps it was not a Glory of God, but a protection from cosmic radiation? The idea of tying a rope to pull a protected body out if they dropped dead as a means to protect the others from what killed.

So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him,

“You are my Son,
today I have begotten you”;

⁶ as he says also in another place,

“You are a priest forever,
after the order of Melchizedek.”

⁷ In the days of his flesh, Jesus^[a] offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. ⁸ Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. ⁹ And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, ¹⁰ being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.

-Epistle of Hebrews 5:5-10 (English Standard Version)

A super high priest selected by the Elohim, not bound by the customs of protection and rites of priestly duties. Is it because he was half-Elohim? That is a half-breed, half human/half-alien (a Mr. Spock of the ancient world?). Drawing close to show this, the writer brings us back to the blessing of Abram by the Highest earthly priest, Melchizedek, who was the King of Salem (Hebrews 7), and how did he bless? Wine and bread. Sound familiar? The blessing for Abram to come into full relationship with the Elohim was through wine and bread, the full new community of equality being brought about on Earth, an attempt of transfiguration by the Elohim is through a Halfling that uses bread and wine to remember.

Remember what?

 About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. ¹² For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, ¹³ for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child.¹⁴ But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

-Epistle of Hebrews 5:11-14 (English Standard Version)

Remember that you have been on this journey awhile. It is not meant to continue at the level of pablum and breast milk like an unweaned babe, rather you are to move onto solid foods. Connect with the tough questions, the roots. Remember what the story is. Move forward in a way that challenges the norm, that shakes the foundations of oppression. Challenge what the usual is.

Be not ususal (Hebrews 6). Live the journey that is strange, can be hard, but in the end do what is right, just. Seek justice. Seek equity and equality. Love freely. Spread hope. Embrace joy. Know peace. Deep dive into faith.

Become one with the new high priest, of the new covenant. Know that you are loved, you are unique and you are special.

Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, ² a minister in the holy places, in the true tent^[a] that the Lord set up, not man. ³ For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. ⁴ Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law. ⁵ They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.” ⁶ But as it is, Christ^[b] has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. ⁷ For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.

⁸ For he finds fault with them when he says:^[c]

“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord,
when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel
and with the house of Judah,
⁹ not like the covenant that I made with their fathers
on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt.
For they did not continue in my covenant,
and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord.
¹⁰ For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel
after those days, declares the Lord:
I will put my laws into their minds,
and write them on their hearts,
and I will be their God,
and they shall be my people.
¹¹ And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor
and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’
for they shall all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest.
¹² For I will be merciful toward their iniquities,
and I will remember their sins no more.”

-Epistle of Hebrews 8:1-12 (English Standard Version)

A Gospel is a political declaration; in the Commonwealth nation such as Canada think of it as a speech from the Throne that opens our Parliament or Legislature, laying out the course ahead for the nation. Jesus of Nazareth’s followers had a gospel that was completely contrary to the Roman Emperor’s, in fact it was an act of treason to share and speak it.

Now, the writer was pointing to the promise of a new Covenant of equality between Most High and the people. Covenant is a bond, promise, indenturing if you will between two parties. The Most High is pledging a new way in the life span development of the genetic experiment if you will. No longer an authoritarian parent was attempting to beat submission, or through parlour tricks winning approval. Rather, one of equity, justice and equality bonded in the transcendent love that Jesus of Nazareth’s birth, life, teachings, death, and return as a hologram guide (if we follow Ancient Alien Theology on this one- think the Doctor on Star Trek: Voyager).

No longer a parent-child relationship that exists into late adolescence, but a more maturing of lifespan development where the parent becomes mentor-friend to the adult child in a health loving family unit.

¹³ In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

-Epistle of Hebrews 8:13 (English Standard Version)

What is the new Covenant you are hearing in your heart?

 

 

 

 

 

Alienbrews 1

The Epistle of Hebrews is a bit of a mystery. The author is unknown; it has flecks of Pauline influence, but is not of Paul. Many have thought it comes from the school of Pauline Christianity, perhaps Priscilla or Aquila, Or Barnabas or Timothy or Luke or someone else. The challenge being that there is rabbit trails that lead to one thought, then norms of writing that disqualify. It is someone who was born into and raised in Judaism, but knows the classic Greek rhetorical styles.  Neither the Roman Catholic Church or John Calvin or Martin Luther could confirm an authorship. It is this enigma that sits as the cover letter to the General Epistles. If the Pauline Epistles were filling the void of the Major Prophets in the Christian Testament, then the General Epistles would be akin to the Minor Prophets.

What can be agreed upon, as the term Hebrews is used, and that the language is very much rooted in Judaic practice that it is a letter to Jewish converts to the way. As its writing falls into the latter half of the 1^st Century it is possible it was written after the synagogue expulsion. Some suspect it was sent to Jerusalem, which puts it firmly in the teaching gatherings of James, younger brother of Jesus of Nazareth, and Bishop of Jerusalem.

Xaviant Haze (2018) in Ancient Aliens in the Bible uses the first chapter of Hebrews as a text to prove his theorem that Jesus was born of an alien-human mix. It comes out of the theory that angels in the Hebrew Bible, and Christian Testament, were ancient alien astronauts visiting our world:

After all, he was born king of the angels (Hebrews 1). An obvious link between Jesus and the Old Testament are the bright lights, metallic clouds, and fiery colours that raged in the skies on the day before he died. (p. 169).

As I have contemplated this journey through the Epistles of the Christian Testament it has been about my own thoughts and reflections, a bit of context, and pushing others to engage the texts in different ways. It is part of my recovery to give me something to care about, and to do. In my teaching I have always brought out different perspectives, how much different than to bring forth Hebrews through the lens of Ancient Alien Theology? I think it bears reflecting on, and thinking a bit outside the norm of events.

After putting forth that Jesus of Nazareth is the King of Angels in chapter 1, the writer continues into the concept of Salvation (2:1-11). The idea being that Jesus had to surrender his throne in the heavens, come down and live amongst humanity. Relying a bit on Ancient Alien theory as supposed by Haze (2018) it is about a humanity that was crafted through genetic experiments in the times of the Hebrew Bible. The Adams and Eves were genetic alterations to existing species on the planet, incurred gene splicing (almost like the augments in Star Trek, think Khan Noonien Singh). Then the women were so beautiful that many from the ships mated with them producing the Nephilim, which were giants, and a cover up was needed before the home planet discovered this awryness, hence the flood. The rainbow in the sky post flood was about salvation, the promise not to wreak havoc again of mass destruction on the world. As the hearers of the words of Hebrews would be reminded of their ancient stories as a source of encouragement:

¹² saying,

“I will tell of your name to my brothers;
    in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”

¹³ And again,

“I will put my trust in him.”

And again,

“Behold, I and the children God has given me.”

¹⁴ Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, ¹⁵ and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. ¹⁶ For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. ¹⁷ Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. ¹⁸ For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

-Hebrews 2:12-18 (English Standard Version)

 

The angels (aliens) constantly came to aid the descendants of Abraham, through the matriarchal lines of Sarah and Hagar. Ensuring a journey, worship, survival, growth and discovery for their children. Many postulate the images of the Hebrew Bible ala Jacob’s ladder is describing entering and exiting a UFO. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah a use of a nuclear device upon the earth as the description is of the havoc wrecked by such a bomb going off, including Lot’s wife turning to salt, where an alternative translation of the word would be dissolving.  These are a few points; it comes from a place of ponderment on why angels would need to eat? Sleep? Essentially engage in human like activities. The theory growing that is because they are simply travellers from the stars that the ancients used language they could grasp to explain. It also explains a bit of the violence seen by Angels (the wall coming down in Joshua for one).

One has to wonder if the mystery that surrounds Hebrews authorship is due to it being of this kind of text. Yes it is written to a certain population, in time and space, but is it also written to preserve a separate understanding of events. A breadcrumb of a trail to a deeper creation mystery? Does it disqualify God as parent/creator if aliens were involved in the process? Could the concept of life long slavery from a devil be a different allegory of an ongoing cosmic-interstellar conflict? Or is it the allegory of the struggle for those that have used technologies and blessings for nefarious gain within Imperial culture?

The epistle (letter) of Hebrews is assumed to be to Jewish converts to the gatherings in Jerusalem under the guidance of Jesus’ brother James. It is a treatise, not a letter in the traditional sense that begins to outline how Jesus brings together many pieces of the Hebrew Bible story. Angels to Moses to Priestly castes to salvation to a deeper cosmology that I have decided to take a contrary non-orthodox exploration of. It is through the lens of Ancient Alien Theology that we will continue the journey over the remaining chapters, and engage a conversation to see what pops up.

As the question comes forward, have we just fallen silent to being able to connect with our alien brethren?

Ancient Aliens in the Bible: A Reflection

 

 artist Aert de Gelder from site: https://www.theancientaliens.com/alien-art-baptism-of-christ

Another great Christmas gift filled one of my geek passions. The Paleo-Seti theory or known as Ancient Astronaut Theory or ala History Channel Ancient Aliens. It is an intriguing anthropological exploration of religious and human development. How do Homo Sapiens simply appear within the fossil record (yes I realize there is holes in our data). How are the legends and stories of the ancients understood through a lens today? Is it language used to explain the extra-terrestrial, not just the supernatural or godly? If you are one that finds things by Spong or Fox challenging or sacrilegious; were not open to the idea of Jesus of Nazareth being married or Freke’s Laughing Jesus illuminating the overlay of the Osiris legends (and many other messiah-deities) over the Jesus narrative, then move on to another post.

C.S. Lewis believed we would be ignorant to think that humanity was all there was in the galaxy. Thomas Paine believed that the revelation of extra-terrestrials would cause the collapse of religion. What do you believe?

The wife and kids got me Xaviant Haze’s (2018) Ancient Aliens in the Bible: Evidence of UFO’s, Nephilim and the True face of Angels in the Ancient Scriptures. Now I do admit I cut my teeth on Von Daaniken, but really resonated with Sitchen’s works. They dove deep into the geek side of lore, anthropology, theology, philosophy and the other social sciences. But with the new rise of popularity, new thinkers are coming out. Haze is highly readable. He makes the material approachable for the laity (i.e. those who may not have taken a master’s in social sciences). He enters into the stories and histories.

For those who are armchair academics on the subject some things are familiar. The concept of Noah’s ark being a spaceship taking DNA samples. Or Enoch being a central Prophet to the underlying theology of alien encounters. Elijah’s ascension/alien abduction. The Nephilim being alien-human hybrids. That angels were aliens coming to visit. It basically builds upon what has come before and goes beyond the concept of Jacob’s ladder being a UFO to what else is going on (ala has happened with other religions, myths and spirituality in the study)- discern, critically assess, and take what you will from it that grows your own understanding.

New things emerge though that cause some pause and thought. Were Sodom & Gomorrah were destroyed by some ancient nuclear device. Perhaps. What about Ezekiel, Isaiah and Zechariah and other Hebrew Bible’s Prophetic writings? The imagery does lend itself to an acid trip, or perhaps attempting to explain the extra-terrestrial. Anyone who has spent time in the Hebrew Bible’s book of Prophets can see some of the correlations Haze raises (I encourage you to buy the book, read the Prophets along with his thoughts and mull it over).

But backing up, an intriguing theory Haze postulates is the Elohim, and they being a species that created the Adams through genetic engineering. Which brings the thought of the Eve extraction making more sense, and then as life progressed the genetically engineered and the makers mating which created the giants (Nephilim). What do you think?

Then touching upon the Jesus narrative, and asking is it possible that Mary was impregnated by an alien? Blasphemous? Heresy? Thoughts?

For as Haze postulates the journey is not antithetic to Christianity or Abrahamic faiths. It is about the how things happened by exploring the extra-terrestrial source of life and story. Not the why. It does not disqualify the transcendent love that is God- The Holy Mystery.

What it does do is deepen and perhaps perplex the answer to the question, as Haze states:

What is life?

 

Belonging, Inclusion, Jesus and Aliens oh my

It was a blessed time of discussion. Much like what can happen around a coffee or meal at my home. And yes, the crazy neurology kept at bay, the data banks were tested, and the memory was strong.

It was great to be on Light News Radio today, and for the Holy Week reflection series (yes even unannounced I am sure you noticed there was one happening). I thought I would share the discussion for all to hear.

Please feel free to share freely this post, so the talk can hopefully percolate other conversations as we strive to break down barriers, draw the circle wide, and allow for authentic belonging fully knowing and embracing the risks that takes:

https://www.spreaker.com/user/boldradiostation/the-distinction-between-inclusion-and-be?autoplay=true

(Also know, this was my first “public” speaking/teaching time on spirituality since my last sermon at Centennial Presbyterian 8 months after performing my Mum’s funeral…so that is since Stampede 2014. Another blessing my time away due to medical challenges has accomplished.).

The Weird Tales of Rick Saturn, Formerly the Bionic Knight: Chimmering Chimeras

Chimeras—mythical hybrid creatures’ ala Centaurs, Minotaurs, Nephilim, that where two species become one. Some would call it false flags, a word for something that does not exist. Others for the possibilities of when alien technology used with/upon our ancestors is understood today. Rick sipped his double-double McCafe slowly as he watched the parking lot. George Dragon had raised questions that he needed answers to. His left hand slightly trembled, his head had a dull throbbing, but all in all it had been a good past three day.

Rick knew he would pay for that later.

Dragon was one of the many hiding in plain sight.

Not something the new kids needed to be drawn into, but something Rick needed to give a heads up to an old friend about. The beaten-up F-150 pulls into the lot and Rick watches Shotgun MacKay gets out and heads towards the McDonald’s.

A black coffee later and McKay is sitting across from his old friend. There is fading bruising, and fresh scarring on the whiskered face. Years ago, they had been adversaries, with many of Rick’s rogues paying to have the hired gun on side to try and assassinate the then Bionic Knight. Slowly the transformation of the mercenary to mentor began. Will (Shotgun) noted it was small kernels that Rick’s super hero alter ego had laid in his path. Eventually to the place he was now mentoring the new Great Crime Fighters, so this new legacy batch did not turn out like the last blood thirsty judge-jury-executioner types.

“So let me get this straight. What caused the intergalactic exodus to earth is now…” MacKay let the statement dangle.

“On its way, here. Dragon says we could have a Chimmering Chimera.” Rick stated. MacKay looked puzzled by the statement. Rick stated what a Chimera was, “The entity that eventually spliced into John.” Rick had to say no more. If the taking over of John by the alien entity had led to procreation of a new species with the same dark intent. But instead John MacCurtis sacrificed himself to end it.

“You want the kids ready?”

“I think I may have a way to stop this without needing to risk their lives.” Rick said.

“Rick be real, you have given more than most. If this risk is real, step aside, let us step up for a change.” MacKay said.

“Dragon came to me. It will start covertly, if I can find the source and shut it down there will be no risk to anything else.” Rick said. He took another sip. “It will be played out like a Trojan Horse. I just need to find the horse and burn it down.”

MacKay nodded. His friend had saved the world even the universe many times over. But those were times he had been imbued with the power of Camelot. Now he was as normal as can be described fighting the health effects those many battles had brought onto his holistic self. “What did Susan say?”

Rick closed his eyes slowly, trying to push the dull throbbing aside. His wife, his lightning rod. The one that keeps pulling him back from the darkness of death. A death that some days he would happily succumb to. But there is more than just him to consider, a balance with the life and the darkness. Each day consciously choosing life.

“Haven’t specifically had that conversation, but she has encouraged my writing and investigative work more.” Rick said. Which was true, she just was unaware where the investigative work may be leading.

MacKay had known his friend a long time. He noted the slight tremble in the hand. The twinge at the crow’s feet where he was fighting back pain within his mind. Dragon was an associate who rarely showed up, but if he was coming out of the shadows to speak then what was coming was true. He looked squarely in his friend’s eyes. A glimmer of green energy sparked. Maybe Rick was as done as everyone believed.

“We are one text or call away for back up.”

“thank you.”

The green flame hit squarely the centre of the parking lot shattering the window the two sat next to sending them careening across the restaurant.

To be continued…

Chapter Three

Thunder booms, lighting cascades like a sheet, but still no rain. Speare scratches the stubble on his face, fighting the urge to take up smoking within this situation. Never was one, just seems like something a tough PI would normally do in the old Noir’s like Spade and Marlow, or maybe gourmet cooking like Spenser or drinking like Stone. But instead he is in the plaza of city hall, outside sipping on a double double hoping not to get caught in the rain, waiting on a coffee interview.

The interviewee will hopefully shed some light on the Prophets/Martyr dynamic and the memories surfacing. Sax walked away from the whole thing telling Speare it was a lifetime ago, but did give him this number to call. The number brought him to an active switchboard for the Great Crime Fighters (G.C.F.), the Super Hero set of Canada.

Yes he investigated weird as shit, ghosts, cheaters, the odd demon…but really the super hero stuff he liked to avoid as it was just a whole other level of strange.

The voice was low but echoey, almost mechanical. “Speare I presume.”

He turns, lets his hoody fall away from his bald head as he refocuses on the armoured individual. Scientific bionics, or mythical magic of Merlin, it really didn’t matter what you believed, the golden armoured individual before him had been a Canadian institution for years. “Pendragon.”

“I have recently gone retro and am using Bionic Knight again.”

“My apologies, so Mr. Knight?”

“B.K. will be fine.”

“B.K., thanks for agreeing to meet with me, my book dealer Sax passed on the switchboard number.” Speare looks into the reflective eye slits, was there some way to tell through this armour a reaction, it covers the body, and makes his usual reads impossible. Passerby are gawking.  The mayor had done the big reveal on Election Day officially retiring from his past, but the rest of the G.C.F. had remained masked since their reformation. “It seems that you are all tied into a mystery.”

“And what is this mystery?” The Knight begins walking alongside Speare, in such a way that he begins to manoeuver both of them towards City Hall.  Speare makes a note as they enter the double doors, and Bionic Knight waves off security as they step on the escalator and ride up to the level of offices.

“A woman’s death, I only have a first name and it is…”

“Reesa.” Just outside the Mayor’s office door, John MacCurtis steps out. “Her name is Reesa, that is all we ever knew as well. She killed my family.”

If Speare could see the expression under the helmet, he could’ve sworn this hero was shocked by the Mayor’s admission. “You realize Mr. MacCurtis then that…”

“Makes me prime suspect number one, possibly, but I ain’t no Martyr.” The lightening bathed the sky causing the lights of city hall lights to dip.

Another flickering of the lights. This was the type of things that made Speare strongly dislike working mysteries within the super hero community, they rapidly became conspiracy theories wrapped in science fiction with a dash of occult on a good day. On a bad day you are standing in a hall way in city hall, with the mayor claiming a dead woman killed his family, and a mystical knight beside you as the power was deciding whether or not it wanted to stay on.

The door opens again, and Jaqueline “Shade” Slick steps out with her gun already drawn. Speare couldn’t help but roll his eyes. What truly was this about at this moment?

“Mr. Mayor you need to come back into the office so we can secure it, there are reports of the storm.” Shade said.

“I am tired of the euphemismistic bullshit. It is not a storm you are worried about, you think he is coming for me.” John retorted.

Euphemisms, another layer, just like a bloody Bond file. Speare felt the pain behind his eyeballs returning. He looked from the Bionic Knight to the body guard to the mayor. “Who is coming?”

John looked Speare straight in the eye, his eye contact unwavering. The type of eye contact held that makes someone feel like they are being looked right through. The rumbles of thunder getting closer to the flashes of lightning. The Knight breaks the silence, “we can’t tell him, national security.”

“Fuck, B.K., this has nothing to do with national security, they were bloody kids and we fucked—I fucked up royally with them.” MacCurtis was yelling at this point, other office staff were beginning to move out of their offices, he motions the motley crew back into his office and Slick secures the door behind them.

The Knight lowers himself into an arm chair to the left of the desk, while Speare takes a load off in what can only be described as a womb chair. MacCurtis still visibly shaking moves behind his desk and sits down. John leans back in the chair and steeples his hands as he exhales slowly.

“Speare what do you know about world mythology?”

Speare scratches his head and looks at the mayor. Not where he was believing this conversation to go, but it was a question that touched upon an area of interest for him. “I dabbled a little in Egyptian mythology in grade school, but really Classic and Norse resonated with me quite a bit in Junior and Senior high, probably because of liking Thor and Wonder Woman comics as a kid. What does this have to do with the dead woman?”

Before MacCurtis can answer, Bionic Knight speaks. “Because it is rooted in those ancient tales, truth, and that truth is what caused the Effect many decades ago.”  The Effect was a sky effect that has happened a few times, looks like the Aurora Borealis on steroids cascading across the earth, each time a new wave of Supra beings morphs into reality. “And as much as I hate to admit it, it also speaks to the truth behind Paleo-Seti research and theory.”

Speare smiled, the hero was attempting to use technical terms to baffle him, and so he possibly wouldn’t fan boy out by the governmental agent’s admission that Ancient Aliens held truth. “And the truth of the Ancient Aliens is?”

MacCurtis burst out laughing. “Ah he’s got you there B.K., the truth is not out there, it is here, and has been here for many centuries and millennia. The Effect releases dormant DNA evolutions hidden within some of us. Two of these old buggars are a well-known secret to the Canadian Parliament.  One is well known to the world at large, Zed.”

Speare smirked, where these two having him on. “Zed is an immortal Tibetan monk.”

“Zed is short for Zeus ya dumb ass.” Slick said.

Speare looked at her as she smirked at him. “And don’t get started on Zeus being Greek and Romanized, the man impregnated throughout life as beams of light, ganders, etc…he wants to currently exist as a Tibetan he will.”

“Point taken. So what is so important about Zed?”

“Simple, he guides the heroes, the Prophets, those that break ground on justice and make things right with the world. Currently our little band calls themselves the Great Crime Fighters.” Bionic Knight said.

“And Jung showed us that there is always a shadow.” MacCurtis said.

To which the lightbulb went off, “The shadow were called the Martyrs?”

The Knight nods. “Yes, the Martyrs were a group of lost souls needing direction found by an entity known as Thor. The entity as far as we know had no physical body, it possessed John for a time that this group was up and running, aged him rapidly so he was an old man, played an Xavier role if you will, and this group of lost souls did things to save our world no one can never fathom.”

“Sax was part of this team.” Speare clicked the thoughts together.

“With Reesa.” John MacCurtis confirmed.