The three courses below collectively argue that to understand Christian origins, it is crucial to recover the traditions and theology of the ancient temple, particularly the first temple that existed before its destruction.
This tradition, often referred to as "temple mysticism," is proposed as the core matrix from which early Christianity emerged. The original gospel message, it is suggested, was deeply connected to the hope for the restoration of the first temple and its associated beliefs, rather than being based on the second temple of Jesus' time, which is depicted in some ancient texts as having a polluted tradition. Many key New Testament writings, notably the Book of Revelation and John's Gospel, are presented as being thoroughly embedded in temple imagery, concepts, and mystical experiences.
Recovering this lost understanding requires consulting ancient texts outside the standard Hebrew Bible, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Book of Enoch, and other Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha, which are seen as preserving older traditions that were later suppressed, lost, or edited out of the canonical scriptures by second temple priests and scribes. Central themes of this temple mysticism included the holy of holies representing a state of eternal unity outside of time, the significance of heavenly visions and knowledge of divine secrets, the presence of the heavenly throne and angels, and the understanding of the temple as a microcosm of creation.
Jesus is interpreted within this framework, embodying various temple roles and concepts such as the high priest, the Servant, and the source of light, life, and unity. This perspective offers a new paradigm for studying early Christianity, highlighting its roots in this ancient temple background and challenging older scholarly reliance on later traditions or interpretations.
Jewish Temple Theology (6 Podcasts)
Jewish Temple Mysticism (6 Podcasts)
Jesus, the Jewish Temple, and the Kingdom of God (6 Podcasts)