The Bart Ehrman Blog - Group: Current Forum Topics https://ehrmanblog.org/forum/?group=2 Simple:Press Version 6.11.14 Steefen on Theos (source of the universe) was introduced into the Hebrew Bible from the Greek Language? (The first 2 minutes and 30 seconds, at least of this video) https://ehrmanblog.org/forum/the-hebrew-bible/theos-source-of-the-universe-was-introduced-into-the-hebrew-bible-from-the-greek-language-the-first-2-minutes-and-30-seconds-at-least-of-this-video/#p48476 The Hebrew Bible https://ehrmanblog.org/forum/the-hebrew-bible/theos-source-of-the-universe-was-introduced-into-the-hebrew-bible-from-the-greek-language-the-first-2-minutes-and-30-seconds-at-least-of-this-video/#p48476 Paul Wallis:
All ETs are not demonic.

God the source of everything.

Plato was before Early Christianity. When you get to the New Testament, the writers are immersed in the thought world of Plato. Paul repeats what Plato said. Read the new testament in the context of other Greco-Roman literature.

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After being gaslit, it is liberating to expand into these facts, to be a seeker of truth and of what is real first and a believer second.

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Mr. Graves:
Viewing UAPs is routine.

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"Thank you Jesus" is not interchangeable with "Thank you Yahweh."

Let the Bible not be a bible of deceit and secrecy.

]]> Thu, 06 Aug 2026 15:24:29 -0400 Steefen on Theos (source of the universe) was introduced into the Hebrew Bible from the Greek Language? (The first 2 minutes and 30 seconds, at least of this video) https://ehrmanblog.org/forum/the-hebrew-bible/theos-source-of-the-universe-was-introduced-into-the-hebrew-bible-from-the-greek-language-the-first-2-minutes-and-30-seconds-at-least-of-this-video/#p48474 The Hebrew Bible https://ehrmanblog.org/forum/the-hebrew-bible/theos-source-of-the-universe-was-introduced-into-the-hebrew-bible-from-the-greek-language-the-first-2-minutes-and-30-seconds-at-least-of-this-video/#p48474 Leonard:
Where is home for the biblical order?

Paul:
We're in contact with more demographics of aliens now.

Regions of space in stories around the world.

The Pleides

Sirius and Orion

Cignus

Zeta Reticuli

and more.

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Earth is a planet to be exploited some may think.

pick up at 54:01 of 1:21:45

]]> Thu, 06 Aug 2026 12:12:03 -0400 Steefen on Theos (source of the universe) was introduced into the Hebrew Bible from the Greek Language? (The first 2 minutes and 30 seconds, at least of this video) https://ehrmanblog.org/forum/the-hebrew-bible/theos-source-of-the-universe-was-introduced-into-the-hebrew-bible-from-the-greek-language-the-first-2-minutes-and-30-seconds-at-least-of-this-video/#p48473 The Hebrew Bible https://ehrmanblog.org/forum/the-hebrew-bible/theos-source-of-the-universe-was-introduced-into-the-hebrew-bible-from-the-greek-language-the-first-2-minutes-and-30-seconds-at-least-of-this-video/#p48473 Paul Wallis:
They did not create us "ex nihilo" from nothing.

Leonard:
Is space travel influenced by UAPs?

Paul:
Yes.

Here is a breakdown of both concepts, as there is no single entity known as "Tingere the sky people":
1. The Above People (Sky Beings) in Blackfoot Legend
In the creation stories of the Blackfoot (Siksika) Nation, the Above People or Sky Beings (known as Spomi'tapiiks) were the first creations of the great creator, Apistotoke. [1]
  • The Sun (Natosi): The first and most highly venerated Sky Being, representing supreme power and life force.
  • Other Beings: This group also includes the moon goddess (Komorkis), the Morning Star, and all the constellations.
  • Their Realm: Blackfoot traditions describe them as living in a completely separate society and land located high above the clouds. [1, 2]
2. Tengri: The Eternal Blue Sky Deity
If you are thinking of a sky deity, you may be referring to Tengri (or Tangri / Tenger), the supreme sky god of ancient Turkic and Mongolian religions (a belief system called Tengrism). [1, 2]
  • The Eternal Blue Sky: Ancient nomadic tribes of the Eurasian steppes considered Tengri to be the all-encompassing spirit of heaven and the wind. [1, 2, 3]
  • Tengrism: Adherents believe that the universe is governed by Tengri alongside the Earth Mother (Umay). Mankind is viewed as a part of a living, spiritual cosmos where the goal is to live in perfect balance with nature. [1, 2, 3]

Also see:
https://medium.com/@mehrdadyousefi_/therturkic-sky-god-tengri-and-its-similarity-to-indo-european-dyeus-c9fa89c96b64

 

]]> Thu, 06 Aug 2026 12:00:47 -0400 Steefen on Theos (source of the universe) was introduced into the Hebrew Bible from the Greek Language? (The first 2 minutes and 30 seconds, at least of this video) https://ehrmanblog.org/forum/the-hebrew-bible/theos-source-of-the-universe-was-introduced-into-the-hebrew-bible-from-the-greek-language-the-first-2-minutes-and-30-seconds-at-least-of-this-video/#p48471 The Hebrew Bible https://ehrmanblog.org/forum/the-hebrew-bible/theos-source-of-the-universe-was-introduced-into-the-hebrew-bible-from-the-greek-language-the-first-2-minutes-and-30-seconds-at-least-of-this-video/#p48471 Interviewer Leonard:
What do you think of man having existed in some form before he was created at Gen 1:26?

Paul Wallis:
The Mayan story in the Popol Vuh.
Our planet had visitors long before our species emerged.
The feathered servants wanted a workforce species. The results were us and apes in the forest.
They were working with other primates.

Steefen:
So, it is not just the Anunnaki who needed a workforce of mankind.
We were around in some form, then we were tweaked.

Paul:
We look like Elohim. We look like Anunnaki. We are a mix.

Interviewer Leonard:
Who are our creators: the Elohim or the Anunnaki or are they one and the same? 

Paul:
They came from the sky from the stars.
They are powerful. They are advanced.

Ultimately, they are not creators.
Now we do gene splicing and they did it. We do genetic engineering and they did it. We do crossbreeding and they did it.
 I hold to Panspermia.

Panspermia is the scientific hypothesis that life exists throughout the universe and can be transferred from one planetary system or celestial body to another through meteorites, asteroids, comets, or cosmic dust. It suggests life on Earth may have originated elsewhere. [1, 2]
Types of Panspermia
  • Lithopanspermia: Microorganisms hitch a ride inside rocks blasted into space by planetary impacts.
  • Radiopanspermia: Microscopic spores travel through space propelled by the radiation pressure of stars.
  • Directed panspermia: Life is intentionally seeded across the cosmos by an advanced intelligent civilization. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Supporting Evidence and Challenges
  • Resilience: Space experiments show some hardy extremophile bacteria can survive intense UV radiation and extreme acceleration forces.
  • Organic Compounds: Amino acids and complex carbon molecules are frequently found inside comets and meteorites.
  • The Core Limitation: It does not explain how life originally formed; it only shifts the origin site to another location in space. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
]]> Thu, 06 Aug 2026 11:50:30 -0400 Stephen on Divine Command Theory, or, It's ok! I'm on a mission from God! https://ehrmanblog.org/forum/other-relevant-issues/divine-command-theory-or-its-ok-im-on-a-mission-from-god/page-3/#p48470 Other Relevant Issues https://ehrmanblog.org/forum/other-relevant-issues/divine-command-theory-or-its-ok-im-on-a-mission-from-god/page-3/#p48470 I stumbled upon this here video which I think sums up the problems with a God based "Objective Morality" rather clearly and succinctly.  Believers seem to think that using God as the foundation of morality solves problems that arise by considerations of a godless subjective morality.  The point is that while there are certainly problems with a godless moral discourse, recourse to God as the foundation of morality doesn't really solve anything.  Ultimately we're all in the same boat.

Morality Can't Be Objective, Even If God Exists      

]]> Thu, 06 Aug 2026 11:41:37 -0400 Tjalling on What we have to fear, and what judgment is for https://ehrmanblog.org/forum/the-historical-jesus/what-we-have-to-fear-and-what-judgment-is-for/page-3/#p48467 The Historical Jesus https://ehrmanblog.org/forum/the-historical-jesus/what-we-have-to-fear-and-what-judgment-is-for/page-3/#p48467 David, even if someone had concluded that annihilation is the most scripturally defensible account of the final fate of those who are lost, it would not follow that the person considered it “great.” A position can seem exegetically strongest and still be deeply grievous.

I offered to examine the arguments for and against it, not to promote or praise it. I would normally be quite willing to state my own position, but I would prefer to do so in a setting that feels safe enough for careful exploration, rather than one in which that position is immediately framed as something I must celebrate or defend. Your framing makes me more cautious about doing so here.

]]> Thu, 06 Aug 2026 09:37:57 -0400 DavidFord on What we have to fear, and what judgment is for https://ehrmanblog.org/forum/the-historical-jesus/what-we-have-to-fear-and-what-judgment-is-for/page-3/#p48466 The Historical Jesus https://ehrmanblog.org/forum/the-historical-jesus/what-we-have-to-fear-and-what-judgment-is-for/page-3/#p48466 "If there is interest in a separate thread on annihilationism, I would be glad to participate and contribute for a limited time. I would need to read myself back into some of the material, since parts of it have faded from memory, but I have books on my shelves both defending and rejecting it"
Are you an annihilationist?
Is so, what's so great about annihilationism?

]]> Thu, 06 Aug 2026 08:46:41 -0400 2380 on A Personal View of Some Current Events https://ehrmanblog.org/forum/other-relevant-issues/a-personal-view-of-some-current-events/page-10/#p48464 Other Relevant Issues https://ehrmanblog.org/forum/other-relevant-issues/a-personal-view-of-some-current-events/page-10/#p48464 "Tell me what that means"

I think the mind and body have ways (often a bit jerky) to keep things returning to an even keel. Where balance is the mind's way to make sense of when our sense are working.When we dream this stabilizer is not so active or strong. Under stress or drugs some form of imagination runs more or less rampant.

Also Mr. Natural reminds us  "it don't mean sh$t."

]]> Thu, 06 Aug 2026 04:48:33 -0400 Judith on A Personal View of Some Current Events https://ehrmanblog.org/forum/other-relevant-issues/a-personal-view-of-some-current-events/page-10/#p48459 Other Relevant Issues https://ehrmanblog.org/forum/other-relevant-issues/a-personal-view-of-some-current-events/page-10/#p48459 The above is a bit wayward but if it turns out to be helpful, great!

]]> Wed, 05 Aug 2026 18:28:52 -0400 Judith on A Personal View of Some Current Events https://ehrmanblog.org/forum/other-relevant-issues/a-personal-view-of-some-current-events/page-10/#p48458 Other Relevant Issues https://ehrmanblog.org/forum/other-relevant-issues/a-personal-view-of-some-current-events/page-10/#p48458 Stephen: "...tell me what THAT meant!"

Can't tell you that but Amoxicillin is my go-to for arresting a chest cold before it takes hold. It's not supposed to work but it does.

]]> Wed, 05 Aug 2026 13:49:38 -0400 Stephen on A Personal View of Some Current Events https://ehrmanblog.org/forum/other-relevant-issues/a-personal-view-of-some-current-events/page-10/#p48455 Other Relevant Issues https://ehrmanblog.org/forum/other-relevant-issues/a-personal-view-of-some-current-events/page-10/#p48455 I had some dental surgery on Friday and I was prescribed an antibiotic called Amoxicillin for possible bacterial infections.  I realized that I had it before last year for a bout of sinusitis.  During the latter I noticed I had some very strange dreams.   I did some research and found out that this is a recognized but rather uncommon side effect.   Now I have a very active dream life anyway and "strange" is relative of course. 

Last night I dreamt there was a mass demonstration going on with hundreds of people marching in the street, all wearing red berets, being led by the Star Trek character in the original show, Scotty, played by actor James Doohan.  

Somebody use your intuitive psychological insight and tell me what that meant!   

]]> Wed, 05 Aug 2026 12:03:33 -0400 Steefen on Theos (source of the universe) was introduced into the Hebrew Bible from the Greek Language? (The first 2 minutes and 30 seconds, at least of this video) https://ehrmanblog.org/forum/the-hebrew-bible/theos-source-of-the-universe-was-introduced-into-the-hebrew-bible-from-the-greek-language-the-first-2-minutes-and-30-seconds-at-least-of-this-video/#p48451 The Hebrew Bible https://ehrmanblog.org/forum/the-hebrew-bible/theos-source-of-the-universe-was-introduced-into-the-hebrew-bible-from-the-greek-language-the-first-2-minutes-and-30-seconds-at-least-of-this-video/#p48451 Paul Wallis:
There is not a continuity from the God of the Hebrew Bible to the God of the Gospels.

Christianity is not built on Jewish lore or Jewish law. [Acts 15]

Steefen:
So Paul is partially right

Paul Wallis:
Christianity is mistakenly 100% Theology ...

Steefen:
It should be a higher percentage Technology and a lower percentage Theology.

Okay Paul Wallis, you made a valid point there. How much did Jesus give to Technology or was he just giving us a different Theology?

Pick up at 34:07.

So far, this excellent video gets a thumb up icon.

Jane:
This was most informative and thought provoking…I think I like what you do here, and subscribed.
YouTube Channel: This Week...In the 12th / Interviewer / Leonard:
Jane, I am humbled and grateful. I don't, and won't, take your eyes and ears for granted.

Will keep doing our best here to inform, provoke thought, and dive beneath the surface.
 

]]> Wed, 05 Aug 2026 10:23:22 -0400 Steefen on Theos (source of the universe) was introduced into the Hebrew Bible from the Greek Language? (The first 2 minutes and 30 seconds, at least of this video) https://ehrmanblog.org/forum/the-hebrew-bible/theos-source-of-the-universe-was-introduced-into-the-hebrew-bible-from-the-greek-language-the-first-2-minutes-and-30-seconds-at-least-of-this-video/#p48450 The Hebrew Bible https://ehrmanblog.org/forum/the-hebrew-bible/theos-source-of-the-universe-was-introduced-into-the-hebrew-bible-from-the-greek-language-the-first-2-minutes-and-30-seconds-at-least-of-this-video/#p48450 The Bible is not the best book that teaches us about God?

Answer: probably not:

]]> Wed, 05 Aug 2026 10:07:13 -0400 Steefen on Theos (source of the universe) was introduced into the Hebrew Bible from the Greek Language? (The first 2 minutes and 30 seconds, at least of this video) https://ehrmanblog.org/forum/the-hebrew-bible/theos-source-of-the-universe-was-introduced-into-the-hebrew-bible-from-the-greek-language-the-first-2-minutes-and-30-seconds-at-least-of-this-video/#p48443 The Hebrew Bible https://ehrmanblog.org/forum/the-hebrew-bible/theos-source-of-the-universe-was-introduced-into-the-hebrew-bible-from-the-greek-language-the-first-2-minutes-and-30-seconds-at-least-of-this-video/#p48443 Theos (source of the universe) was introduced
into the Hebrew Bible
from the Greek Language?

(The first 2 minutes and 30 seconds, at least of this video)

]]> Mon, 03 Aug 2026 18:33:59 -0400 Steefen on "Love the Lord YOUR God, not OUR God," could Jesus have inherited another God than Yahweh patrilineally? https://ehrmanblog.org/forum/the-historical-jesus/love-the-lord-your-god-not-our-god-could-jesus-have-inherited-another-god-than-yahweh-patrilineally/page-8/#p48434 The Historical Jesus https://ehrmanblog.org/forum/the-historical-jesus/love-the-lord-your-god-not-our-god-could-jesus-have-inherited-another-god-than-yahweh-patrilineally/page-8/#p48434 .The Parthian Empire conquered and incorporated Mesopotamia into its territory around 141 BC.
While Mesopotamia was the historical "cradle of civilization" known for its mud-brick cities, ancient cuneiform writing, and river-valley agriculture, the Parthian Empire was a massive, multicultural Iranian powerhouse that dominated the Silk Road and fought frequent wars with the Roman Empire.
After the Parthians took over Mesopotamia from the Greek Seleucid Empire, they established their capital at Ctesiphon in the region. Despite being part of the Parthian Empire, Mesopotamian cities like Babylon and Uruk maintained their local religious and cultural traditions, resulting in a fascinating blend of ancient Mesopotamian, Persian, and Hellenistic (Greek) influences.
= = = = =
Steefen:
The three magi could have been from Parthia. So this book expands the Parthian connection to Jesus.

Serene, if you start a thread on this book before I can get to it, I'll visit that thread. Which chapters and sections interest you?

]]> Mon, 03 Aug 2026 10:17:04 -0400