Old Testament Rituals and Body Functions
If I remember correctly, J. Armstrong did a video about rituals, including circumcision. I don't remember the name of the video. I'm curious as to where these rituals found in the Old Testament came from.
Was it men's fear of menstral blood that created the ritual of a woman having to be isolated for 7 days during her period? Since a woman would not do this on her own accord, was a malevolent god created to make her go away and not get any of that iky blood on him until she was done flowing?
And what about circumcision? Is having a foreskin literally "unclean?" The OT uses "unclean" a lot. Was it fear of bodily functions because ancient humans didn't understand their functions?
NKHart
Try substituting "unhealthy" for "unclean." Today we know that uncircumcised men have a higher incidence of cancer "in that area." And women having intercouse with uncircumcised men have a higher incidence of uterine cancer. Perhaps the women were isolated to prevent intercourse -- as Jews did not ingest blood -- perhaps they didn't also want it on their Johnsons either. Pigs were unclean because of the infestation of trichonosis. Kosher meat was only eaten if the animals had been properly sacrificed by a priest. The killing was done humanely, the animal drained completely of its blood, and the meat inspected for disease. If a priest was not available for animal slaughter (sacrifice), then they did not eat meat, but ate basically a vegetarian diet. This is my understanding. I may be wrong. But I find them to be health rules.
NKHart
I don't know if we are allowed to recommend books, but there is one I am reading which deserves a recommendation.
How Jesus Became Christian by Barrie Wilson, Ph.D. His theory on the real Jesus Movement becoming the Ebionites and disappearing is interesting. And Paul carrying on with his Christ Movement becoming the winner. Two different movements. The good guys lost.
I found it be to the "Christianity is not the religion of Jesus; it is Paul's religion about Jesus" theory. Jesus was just an illiterate peasant who in truth faded away; but Paul began his own religion about Jesus. I personally dislike Paul -- he is like the slimy religious leaders of today. They all have their own agendas: money, power, fame, sex, nice robes (pope), and perhaps some actually have the sincere belief that they are helping people get through this life with some hope -- even if they don't believe their own words. Most people would just crumble if they thought there was no afterlife. They need the hope of an afterlife; and they prefer Heaven; and the clergy makes them feel better by offering repentance as their ticket to Heaven. I have a Catholic friend who is positive there is a Heaven and when she goes there she will spend eternity with all her relatives. Now, I personally, find this to be a description of Hell. I don't know a single person on this Earth who I would want to spend eternity with. Shalom
Interesting. But does the OT specifically say those rituals were for health? Why is it an abomination to eat shellfish? And I find it hard to believe that the ancient peoples had an understanding of trichonosis and what causes cancer of the penis. Seems to me they would assume that Yaweh made a perfect creation that wouldn't have needed to be altered. And they would also assume that cancer of the uterus was god's punishment for sin, not because of male penetration.
NKHart
Shellfish: To me, it is unclean. If I ate it I would die. I have a severe allergy to shellfish. Many people do.
Pork and trichinosis: It would just be a matter of observation. You eat pork; you get sick; you die.
Johnsons: If you don't keep your Johnson clean, it gets sore and infected or worse. I was validating circumcision by today's knowledge of health.
They followed these rules because Yahweh told them to. I wouldn't get too upset about this. The Old Testament is only stories written by men. There is no Yahweh. The stories were life lessons and health rules. And some of the rules were good.
Shalom