Source: Margaret Barker, The Hidden Tradition of the Kingdom of God (London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 2007), 4–28.

A Socrates and Hypatia Dialogue

The Traditions of the Jerusalem Temple.wav

Jeff’s Deep Dive Podcasts on Philosophy and Theology

Podcast Theme:

This podcast explores the enduring significance of the Jerusalem Temple's traditions, arguing that they form the foundation of much Kingdom imagery and theology, including elements later prominent in Christianity. The author posits that a purging of the Temple during King Josiah's reign not only altered its practices but also obscured vital aspects of this original faith. Despite the destruction of the first Temple and the subsequent establishment of the second, memories and interpretations of the initial Temple's symbolism and rituals persisted, influencing later Jewish and early Christian thought, particularly concerning the nature of God's Kingdom, messianic figures, and the divine presence.

Major Points:

1. The traditions of the original Jerusalem Temple, especially Solomon's Temple, were foundational for later religious thought and contained key imagery and practices related to the Kingdom of God. These traditions were significantly impacted and altered by King Josiah's reforms, which some viewed as a destruction of the true faith rather than a purification.
2. The Second Temple, built after the exile, was not universally accepted as legitimate and was seen by some as a deviation from the original temple traditions. This led to the preservation of older traditions in texts outside the canonical Hebrew scriptures, such as the Enoch literature, which offered a different perspective on the temple and the era.
3. Important traditions of the first temple, including "secrets" about the divine realm, the throne of God, and angelic beings, were deliberately hidden or lost over time but persisted in various forms. These hidden traditions are believed to have been preserved in certain texts and were known within early Christian circles.
4. The original temple was understood as a symbolic representation of creation, with the Holy of Holies as the dwelling place of God and the throne of divine authority. The king in the first temple held a unique role, acting as an anointed high priest who could enter the Holy of Holies and was closely associated with divine sonship and even identified with aspects of the LORD.
5. Early Christianity was deeply influenced by these original temple traditions, drawing upon its concepts of the Kingdom of God, the role of a divine high priest and king, the understanding of angels, and symbolic interpretations of the temple. Many elements of early Christian belief and practice can be traced back to these pre-Deuteronomy temple traditions, which were often at odds with the theology that shaped the later Hebrew canon.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How did the reforms of King Josiah impact the religious traditions of the Jerusalem Temple, and how was this viewed by different groups?

According to traditional biblical scholarship, King Josiah's actions in the late seventh century BCE are presented as a positive "reform" of the temple, bringing the religion of Jerusalem and Judah in line with the book of Deuteronomy. This involved removing and banishing elements like the Asherah, destroying high places and sun-dedicated objects, and celebrating a great Passover. However, other perspectives viewed these events as a destructive purge that eradicated Israel's "true faith." Some remembered this time as a disaster, lamenting the loss of established traditions. The Deuteronomists, whose theology heavily influenced the historical books, supported Josiah's reforms, emphasizing adherence to the written law. In contrast, those who cherished the older temple traditions saw these changes as a loss, potentially leading to the exclusion of certain worshippers in the rebuilt second temple.

2. Why was the Second Temple not universally accepted as legitimate, and what evidence supports this view?