Source: Margaret Barker, Temple Mysticism: An Introduction (London: SPCK, 2011), 63–96.
The Many Emanations of God.wav
This podcast explores the profound influence of ancient Jewish temple traditions on early Christianity, particularly regarding the understanding of divine unity and plurality as expressed through angels, light, and heavenly music. It argues that many concepts later attributed to Platonism within Christian theology, such as angelic hierarchies and the idea of a unified divine presence expressed in many forms, actually have their roots in pre-Christian temple mysticism. The text meticulously examines biblical and extra-biblical sources, including the Old Testament, Enochic literature, the Qumran Scrolls, and early Christian writings, to demonstrate how temple theology provided a framework for understanding the relationship between God and the spiritual realm, shaping early Christian worship, liturgy, and imagery in ways that have often been overlooked or misattributed. Ultimately, Barker aims to re-evaluate the origins of certain Christian beliefs and practices, highlighting the enduring legacy of temple mysticism.
1. The Interplay of Unity and Plurality in Understanding the Divine and Heavenly Realms: A significant portion of the text delves into the complex relationship between the concept of "One" and "Many" as it pertains to God and the beings surrounding the divine. The plural form of the Hebrew word for God, ’elohim, is examined, noting how it is often translated as a singular "God" while sometimes appearing to refer to multiple "gods" or "heavenly beings". This inherent duality is further explored through examples like the creation of Adam, where God speaks using both singular and plural forms. The text also discusses how this tension between unity and plurality extends to the understanding of angels, who are sometimes described as numerous individual entities and at other times as a unified presence or expression of the divine. Figures like Wisdom in Proverbs and the Living Ones in Ezekiel's vision further illustrate this enigmatic simultaneous singularity and multiplicity. The text suggests that this idea was central to temple theology, where the Lord could be represented as a single angel or several, and that this concept of unified plurality influenced later Christian understandings of God and the heavenly host.
2. The Profound Influence of Temple Mysticism on the Development of Early Christian Thought and Practice: The text argues that many core ideas and practices of early Christianity were deeply rooted in the mystical traditions and theology associated with the Jerusalem Temple. It proposes that concepts like the unity of God and the role of angels, as well as liturgical practices, drew heavily from this temple context. The imagery of the holy of holies as a place of divine presence and light, the understanding of priests as having an angelic role, and the importance of music and praise in worship are presented as key elements shared between temple mysticism and early Christian communities. The text explores how even seemingly "Platonic" ideas found in later Christian thinkers like Dionysius might have their origins in the older traditions of the temple, possibly transmitted through early Christian teachers. The use of fire and light as metaphors for the divine, the concept of a heavenly hierarchy, and the emphasis on achieving unity with God are presented as further evidence of this connection. The text also suggests that certain interpretations of Old Testament texts within early Christianity and even among groups considered "gnostic" were informed by this shared heritage of temple traditions.
3. The Symbolic Significance of Light and Fire in Depicting the Nature of God and Angels: Throughout the text, the imagery of light and fire emerges as a crucial way to articulate the ineffable nature of God and the beings that inhabit the heavenly realm. The holy of holies in Solomon's temple is described as representing pre-created light and a cube of fire. Ezekiel's visions of the chariot throne are filled with fiery beings and flashing light, representing the glory of the Lord. Angels are frequently depicted as radiant beings, their faces shining like the sun, sometimes even described as being made of or surrounded by flames. This fiery and luminous imagery is not portrayed as literal but rather as a symbolic language to convey the power, purity, and divine origin of God and the angels. The text highlights how this symbolism was carried over into early Christian thought, with descriptions of Christ as light, believers as children of light, and even the halos of saints in Christian art representing the reflected glory they have received. The indivisible and inseparable nature of the Father and the Son is also illustrated using the analogy of light emanating from the sun, further cementing the importance of this imagery in understanding divine relationships.
4. The Integral Role of Music and Song in Heavenly Worship and Its Reflection in Early Christian Liturgy: The text emphasizes that the unity of the heavenly beings was not only envisioned visually but also aurally, through the concept of heavenly music. Angels are consistently described as singing praises to the Creator "with one voice," signifying their unified devotion and the harmonious order of creation. This heavenly music was seen as a model for earthly worship, particularly in the Jerusalem Temple, where musicians and singers aimed to create music "with one voice" in imitation of the angels. The text traces this idea into early Christian practices, noting that singing hymns and doxologies was a central part of their worship, often consciously seen as mirroring the angelic choirs in heaven. Figures like Clement of Rome and later theologians like John Chrysostom and Basil of Caesarea explicitly connected the singing of the church on earth with the praise offered by angels in heaven. The concept of a "new song" in both the Hebrew scriptures and the Book of Revelation is interpreted as a "renewing song" associated with the restoration of creation, further highlighting the significance of music in the divine plan. Even the sound of God's presence, as described by Ezekiel and John, is likened to powerful natural sounds, suggesting a cosmic harmony expressed through auditory experiences.
5. The Diverse Conceptions of Angels and Their Hierarchical Organization: The text explores various perspectives on the nature, roles, and ranks of angels across different periods and traditions. It notes the challenges in translating biblical texts regarding heavenly beings, pointing out the fluidity between singular and plural references. Different texts present varying numbers and classifications of archangels, sometimes as seven, sometimes four or three, but always as unified in their essence and actions. The writings of Pseudo-Dionysius, with his detailed nine ranks of angels, are discussed as a particularly influential but also controversial attempt to systematize the heavenly hierarchy, drawing possible influences from Neoplatonism. However, the text also suggests that the concept of angelic hierarchies might have roots in earlier temple theology, where priests were seen as having an angelic function and serving in the presence of the Lord. The Nag Hammadi texts and other Jewish traditions also offer unique perspectives on the organization of angels, sometimes linking them to units of time or describing them as emanations of divine light. The figure of the "Angel of the Presence" and debates surrounding its status during the Second Temple period further illustrate the evolving and diverse understandings of the angelic realm.
1. Who was Pseudo-Dionysius and why is he significant in discussions about early Christian theology and angels?
Pseudo-Dionysius, a Syrian theologian from the late fifth century CE, was initially mistaken for the Areopagite mentioned in Acts. His writings on angel hierarchies, detailing how the "Many" relate to the "One," became highly influential in both Eastern and Western Christianity. However, modern scholarship recognizes him as a later figure whose work represents a fusion of Christian thought with Platonism/Neoplatonism. His significance lies in how his ideas shaped Christian understandings of the heavenly realm and priesthood, sparking debate, particularly during the Reformation, about the extent of Platonic influence on Christian doctrine versus possible roots in earlier traditions.
2. How does the concept of "plurality and unity" relate to the understanding of God and heavenly beings in ancient Hebrew and Jewish texts?