Posted on 02/11/2009 7:42:17 AM PST by greyfoxx39
Melchizedek Priesthood of LDS and Dead Sea Scrolls Perspectives
Research by Kerry A. Shirts
It is claimed by opponents of Mormonism that the Melchizedek Priesthood in the church cannot be accurate because at Hebrews 7:24 the Greek term "aparabaton" means "intransmissible", hence Christ is the only one with the Melchizedek Priesthood. But lets look a little closer and see how the opponents misstate the case.
In the Liddell-Scott Lexicon of the Greek Language we note something interesting when we look up this Greek word "Aparabatos":
apara-ba^tos, on, unalterable, heirmos aitiôn Stoic.2.266; epiplokê, of causation, Chrysipp.IBID=au=Stoic. 2.293=lr; taxis Plu.2.410f; hê tês kinêseôs idea Ocell.1.15; infallible, prorrêseis Iamb.VP28.135, cf. Philum.Ven. 4.14; also of persons, Cat.Cod.Astr.8(4).215. Adv. -tôs Chrysippsipp.Stoic.2.279.
2. inviolable, kuria kai a. PRyl.65.18 (i B.C.), cf. PGrenf.1.60.7 (vi A.D.).
3. permanent, perpetual, hierôsunê Ep.Hebr.7.24.
4. Act., not transgressing, J.AJ18.8.2; a. tôn kathêkontôn Hierocl.in CA10p.435M. Adv. -tôs Arr.Epict.2.15.1.
Notice how it means "unalterable", "infallible", "inviolable", "not transgressing", nay, even "permanent", and "perpetual" but not even once does it mean "intransmissible."
There are several articles by leading scholars on the Melchizedek Priesthood in the Dead Sea Scrolls which are of interest. What they have all noted is that there were those who would share Melchizedek's lot, i.e., hold his Priesthood with him! The understanding that Jesus would be the last high priest was a rather late Christian teaching put onto the text of Hebrews with absolutely no justification. The Greek word "aparabaton" does not mean "intransmissible", but rather "unchangeable", as the Qumran Community understood it as well, since, of course, there were expected other priests to arise after the order of Melchizedek. And no contemporary Greco-Roman source ever used the term "aparabaton" with the meaning of "intransmissible", but it always meant "unchangeable", as the Liddell-Scott Lexicon demonstrates as well. (S. Kent Brown, "The Dead Sea Scrolls: A Mormon Perspective", in "BYU Studies", Vol 23, Winter 1983, #1, pp. 56f).
Paul, it is well known, stayed fairly close to his Psalms text when expounding Hebrews 7 anyway. Christ, it is true, would never lose his Priesthood, for he is a "priest forever" (Heb 7:21). Thus at Hebrews 7:3 "forever" gives the same thought as Hebrews 7:24, i.e., the "unchangeable priesthood." (Richard Lloyd Anderson - "Understanding Paul", p. 215).
In light of this, an interesting aside was published by, of all people, Frank Moore Cross, who noted that when the Bible was put together by the later councils of the church, "the rabbi's selected preferred texts"... while excluding "wholly other works with claims of sacred status... books attributed to prophets or patriarchs *before* Moses were excluded: the Enoch literature and works written in the name of Abraham and other Patriarchs..." ("New Directions in the Study of the Dead Sea Scrolls", in "BYU Studies" 25(Summer 1985):9, p. 4.
Perhaps this is one obvious reason why we don't hear more of Melchizedek or Abraham in the Bible, and especially Enoch! Their full story is simply not known to us because it was excluded and lost, according to the finest Dead Sea Scrolls experts on the planet. Hence, another reason to find Joseph Smith and the Restoration so very interesting! Of all the Patriarchs he brings writings back about, he picked the big three: Abraham, Enoch, and Moses, and we now have bushels of documents to check into what Smith said about them in the LDS scriptures. In the meanwhile, the LDS are not out to lunch on the Melchizedek Priesthood being passed on at all, nor in claiming that Christ is the head of that priesthood, the "high priest forever".
Theodor Gaster in his fine translation of the scrolls "The Dead Sea Scriptures", notes that the future Messianic king in the scrolls would be Melchizedek (p. 26). Gaster also notes, very interesting here (!), that The "Melech zedek" - the "King of Righteousness" was mistakenly interpreted through Psalms 110:4 to be the man himself, rather than the priesthood which was eternal. (p. 309).
The startling translation of the 11Q Melchizedek fragment of Florentino Garcia Martinez, in his "The Dead Sea Scrolls Translated", deserves more recognition for the incredible doctrine it teaches!
He notes that "Elohim will stand up in the assembly of God, in the midst of the gods he judges... all the sons of God, and he will preside over this assembly..." [called "the sons of justice"], and Melchizedek himself will free them [the deniers, or the "rebels"], from Belial. So Melchizedek takes the lead in helping the rebellious ones repent and come back to the "Zion" of God in the Dead Sea Scroll texts. (p. 139f).
In collaboration with this, John J. Collins notes in his "The Scepter and the Star: The Messiahs of the Dead Sea Scrolls and other Ancient Literatures" that the "sons of El", are, to be sure, "most often heavenly beings in the Hebrew Bible, examples include Genesis 6, Psalms 82, Deut. 32:8-9..." (p. 161).
Collins also notes that Melchizedek in 11Q Melchizedek, is called "Michael, Melchizedek, and the Prince of Light were three names for the same figure." (p. 176). I find this interesting in light of the current Adam-God doctrine discussion going around. There are many Adams, which is an office as well as many other names for him, as well as for Enoch and Melchizedek, as now attested in the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Melchizedek was also in charge of the eternal process of creation, who by the spark, ignited light into the worlds, hence an organizer of the worlds with the gods. God's assistants, "the faithful servants of Melchizedek", rescue and preserve light particles lest any be lost in space.
A. S. Van Der Woude in his article "Melchisedek als Himmlische Erlosergestalt in den Neugefundenen Eschatalogischen Midraschim aus Qumran Hohle XI" (Melchizedek as Heavenly Savior Figure in the Newly Found Eschatalogical Midrash From Qumran Cave 11) in "Oudtestamentische Studien", Deel XIV, E.J. Brill, 1965, pp. 354-373 deals extensivley with the heavenly Melchizedek and his prominant place, as well as the close ties with Michael the Archangel. The assembly of the Gods and their discussion among themselves are also discussed.
The LDS are not incorrect in noting and making Melchizedek as a prominant part of our theology. Not a bit. It is now coming out that Melchizedek was far more prominant than we had supposed, and the reason why we haven't known this, is because, as the Bible scholars tell us, it has been expunged from the Bible.
Dead sea scrolls ping
This is intellectual wanking.
It’s not that complicated.
It is like arguing the authenticity of the yellow paint on an obviously fraudulent painting.
And Mormonism continues to try and promote itself by denigrating Christianity. No surprise here ... turn Christ into just one of millions of ‘high priests’ and ol’ Joe ‘hot undies’ Smith becomes bigger don’tchaknow. I wonder, when was the last three times a mormonism melchizdek priest showed the Authority of God’s presence within by performing healing or raising someone from the dead? I have no doubt the mormonism advocates have a few stories they could offer to us, don’t ya think? And we will not be surprised ‘cause a religion founded upon lies will use more lies to promote itself.
A: There are many passages in the BOM that are straight copies of the KJV.
B: LDS’ers point out that there could be a good reason for that: Most of the content is the same because most of what God was conveying was the same.
C: But, There are errors in translation in the KJV. The KJV translators did not have many of the source materials that we now have.
D: Yet, these errors in translation show up in the BOM. Why would translation errors from the KJV show up in the BOM?
E: The existence of translation errors from the KJV in the BOM proves that mormonism is a totally false religion created by Joseph Smith, and he just copied much of it from the KJV.
F: I have posted this many times on this site, and nobody has been able to refute this.
G: I don’t expect this posting to be any different, it will simply be ignored by the adherents of this false religion.
Kerry Shirts is an anti-christ and confirmed wacko. Why the LDS lend any credence to him is a mystery....
...oh, nevermind!
You are just another “hater” doing what “haters” do, telling the truth...
The nerve...
Mormonism’s divided Trinity (with the L-rd and G-d as distinct beings) is inconsistent with the Shema.
Ergo, it is false.
Hear, O Israel, the L-rd is our G-d, the L-rd is One.
“Blessed be the name of the glory of His kingdom forever and ever.
You shall love the L-rd your G-d with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your might. And these words which I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them thoroughly to your children, and you shall speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road, when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign upon your arm, and they shall be for a reminder between your eyes. And you shall write them upon the doorposts of your house and upon your gates.”
Christians should note Jesus deemed this the most important passage of scripture/mitzvah:
The Gospel of Mark 12:29 mentions that Jesus considered the Shema the beginning exhortation of the first of his two greatest commandments: “And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, ‘Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord’” (KJV). Jesus also refers to the Shema in The Gospel of John 10:30. A group of Jews in the Temple in Jerusalem at the Feast of Dedication, or Hanukkah, asks him if he is Messiah, the anointed one of God. Jesus concludes his response with the words “I and my Father are one” (KJV). This is an allusion to the Shema, which the Jews immediately recognize.
In addition, the apostle Paul reworks the Shema in 1 Corinthians 8:6 vis-à-vis the risen Christ: “yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.”
(BTW, the Shema above is also the response to false claims by others that Christianity is polytheistic.)
Wow it is all so perfectly clear.
I say it is!
I am glad you have finally come to that understanding!
Now explain it to the rest of us...
Lord knows the Mormons can’t...
Please, don’t sic the Resty upon me!
Why? Don’t you feel like being called names and having motives attributed to you that you never dreamed of?
All I know is this...
There was only one “Melchizedek Priest”
And there will be only one “Melchizedek Priest”
And that was and is Jesus...
Actually Jesus is “a priest after the order of Melchizedek”
And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High. ...Genesis 14:18
The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind, “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek ... Psalm 110:4
As he also says in another place, “You are a priest forever
according to the order of Melchizedek ... Hebrews 5:6
having been designated by God to be a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 5:10
where Jesus, our forerunner, has gone on our behalf, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. ... Hebrews 6:20
Hbr 7:1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
Hbr 7:2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;
Hbr 7:3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
Hbr 7:4 Now consider how great this man [was], unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
Hbr 7:5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:
Hbr 7:6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
Hbr 7:7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
Hbr 7:8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he [receiveth them], of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
Hbr 7:9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.
Hbr 7:10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.
Hbr 7:11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need [was there] that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
Hbr 7:12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
Hbr 7:13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
Hbr 7:14 For [it is] evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
Hbr 7:15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
Hbr 7:16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
Hbr 7:17 For he testifieth, Thou [art] a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Hbr 7:18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.
Hbr 7:19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope [did]; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
Hbr 7:20 And inasmuch as not without an oath [he was made priest]:
Hbr 7:21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou [art] a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)
Hbr 7:22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
Hbr 7:23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
Hbr 7:24 But this [man], because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
Hbr 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
Hbr 7:26 For such an high priest became us, [who is] holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
Hbr 7:27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
Hbr 7:28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, [maketh] the Son, who is consecrated for evermore. Hebrews 7:1-28
I’ll have to study on that question and then get back to you with a non answer.
I can use the same (logic?) as Shirt’s does. Here we go:
I know who invented beer. It was a stand up comic, Bug Abbott of Abbott and Costello fame.
Abbott, abba, abbey, all mean “father” and “father “ is used to mean “source or origin” as any dictionary shows.
“Bud”, beer, kind of self explanatory.
Therefore by logic and according the latest scholarship,
Bud Abbott invented beer, but this valuable history has been lost.
Understand? Of course not, it’s foolishness but at least it is as correct and reasonable as Shirt’s blathering.
Now who is claiming victims status ~ MHGinTN
And Mormonism continues to try and promote itself by denigrating Christianity.
I have recognized it is the mainstream who does it to themselves for the LDS don’t feel that way about you!
It is the LDS who are being put in the position by those who do not or refuse to understand, because whether one is or is not LDS this knowledge belongs to all those who love the Lord, Jesus Christ!
Shirts must have decided that the book of Hebrews was one of those nasty inclusions that the Great Whore added to the Biblical canon.
This is evidence that this particular Mormon (as well as those who believe in Mormon apologetics) doesn’t place any stock in the Bible being the word of God.
I have recognized it is the mainstream who does it to themselves for the LDS don’t feel that way about you!
__________________________________________
Blood Atonement anyone ?????
Brute Beasties, anyone ????
LOL
The Book of Hebrews is SOOOOOOOOO packed with stuff that would make the hair on a mormon turn gray...
:)
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