Unearthing the True Origins of the Bible

[@HolyKoolaid]

After the interview, make sure you go subscribe to and binge-watch Andrew's channel here. He has a ton of super interesting videos: kzbin.info

[@TerenceClark]

I was so excited to see this interview! Two of my favorite KZbinrs doing a fair-minded collab. Excellent to see this! Thanks to you both for making this happen!

[@a.c.pop.2342]

Two of my favourite youtubers collaborating, brilliant!

[@Sol-Invictus]

Again I'm already subscribed to both.. Like I'm a weird nerd or something. Maybe I just know quality data. Cross reference double check. Gg brothers.

[@metiusabt2581]

@@TerenceClark Now I subscribed to Andrew too kaj mi ankaux parolas Esperanton kiel vi, mi supozas.

[@Ronin-lb5ij]

In the Old Testament, God literally taught that *no one can die for the sins of others,* everybody must bear the consequences of their own sins. But Christians keep claiming "Jesus died for your sins". Do Christians really study the Bible, or just mindlessly repeat what they've been indoctrinated with?

[@davidanderson_surrey_bc]

I like how Doctor Henry not only walks a cautious path between religious writings and archaeology, but also tells us when he doesn't know the answer to a question. Saying "I don't know" is perhaps the most trustworthy thing you can hear from an expert's lips.

[@taketimeout2share]

So those who don't even admit that they really dont know either are less than trustworthy. Thank you for honestly defining anybody of faith. They are all untrustworthy.

[@fjalics]

Also a sign of intelligence, the ability to make a picture in your head, good enough to be able to recognize when you are missing pieces, or some piece doesn't fit, in which either your picture is bad, or the piece is.

[@VAIO294]

@@taketimeout2share -- Actually, all people of faith are not in a "don't know" position. Only some are, but not all. Some do "know." -- So, all people of faith are not "untrustworthy" by your definition.

[@VAIO294]

@David Anderson -- The problem with the doctor is that, despite all of his education, he is still devoid of the knowledge of the truth that Almighty God does exist. -- So, he's in error in much of his beliefs.

[@kearstinivory4038]

Well said 🙌🏽

[@davidkoprivica5075]

The collaboration we haven't considered but we all needed

[@brianprinty112]

Now, if only Jeffrey from Darkmatter2525 had a cameo!

[@dhawk4480]

Can we get a part 2!

[@marciancash7138]

@@brianprinty112 ķń

[@LauraTeAhoWhite]

I love Religion for Breakfast. He takes historical data that might be too complicated to interpret for those that aren't used to reading scholarly literature and explains the information in a way that is easy to follow and understand for the everyday person.

[@scottlouissmith2382]

He takes historical data and makes it fit with his personal believes. It's only his believes.

[@LauraTeAhoWhite]

@@scottlouissmith2382 No, that's not how academia works. Religion for Breakfast is a Ph.D. student/candidate which means his opinion is based on current evidence that has been peer-reviewed by other individuals who hold doctorates. It's a shared opinion held by experts on the subject.

[@scottlouissmith2382]

@@LauraTeAhoWhite Yeah, his opinions are based on doctrines only proven by written text. Not proven by actual evidence.

[@LauraTeAhoWhite]

​@@scottlouissmith2382 Archeological evidence is actual evidence: It doesn't matter if it's an old scroll or the foundation of a building.

[@ivanj.conway9919]

@@scottlouissmith2382 : How do you justify that Scott, when he demonstrated in this very video, the difference of what you just said.

[@thejesuschrist]

Awesome job on this one!

[@eatathepizza4449]

Hey uh where's Judas man

[@HolyKoolaid]

Thanks, Jesus. :)

[@ReligionForBreakfast]

High praise coming from the Son of God.

[@pauljsm]

@@HolyKoolaid Wooooooow! How lovely to see Jesus Christ here! 😍 It's so beautiful to see all these heroes being supportive of one another. Much love to you all!

[@davidjanbaz7728]

@@pauljsm heroes? Lmbo!

[@scottlarson1548]

The best book I've found on this topic is "The Bible Unearthed" by Israel Finkelstein. It goes through the history of two hundred years sloppy archaeology which appeared to support the historicity of the Bible followed by careful excavations and careful studies starting in the 1980s which quickly showed that most of the Old Testament is mythology.

[@olyvoyl9382]

Cowabunga! I always thought so.

[@JohnDavis-e3c]

Amen!

[@Magekind]

I love this. Growing up indoctrinated as crap, it's been a long, winding staircase up to intellectual honesty about what I used to just accept uncritically.

[@Ronin-lb5ij]

Funny thing is, in the Old Testament, God literally taught that *no one can die for the sins of others,* because letting someone die for someone else’s sins is considered unjust in God's eyes. So in a nutshell, according to the Bible, everybody must bear the consequences of his or her own sins. And yet, Christians keep claiming "Jesus died for your sins". Do Christians really study the Bible, or just mindlessly repeat what they've been indoctrinated with?

[@MALLYGEEZ1]

@@Ronin-lb5ij I'm actually a Christian who studies the Bible. I would love to engage in conversation as long as the insults stay out of it. There are things I have a problem with in the Bible. None of which are the miracles. If God is real. Miracles are a walk in the part. I'm problem is the level of evil and hate us humans are capable of. And why God allows so much of it. But I have a answer about it in my mind. But that's a different story for another day. I think the Bible is teaching humans are responsible to pay for their own sins. Almost as a person has a debt to pay. But someone with perfect credit can pay off that person's debt. I think this is the angle the Bible is coming from.

[@LeonSandoval]

@@MALLYGEEZ1 if god is all powerful, why did he make us flawed (sinful) to start with? Didn’t he already try and wipe out humanity to start over? (The flood) And this was a colossal fail. Sin persisted, immediately. (If you truly believe the flood story as truth.) Let’s go back to Adam and Eve. If god started us in a perfect, sinless paradise, why did he craft a loophole for us to “sin” and fall from grace? Is he not omniscient? If he is then this was known by god from the start- that Eve would be tempted and therefore ruin all of humanity. Doesn’t that make god kind of a cruel god?

[@lloydtucker5647]

It's not an easy road to travel.

[@MALLYGEEZ1]

@@lloydtucker5647 Agreed

[@DavidRichardson153]

That little bit about Satan near the end made him sound less of an evil deity and more of an attorney that is REALLY good at his job - which, I suppose, at least half of people would consider evil.

[@gingercore69]

Why would he ever need a devils advocate then?

[@kathryngeeslin9509]

@@gingercore69 Lawyers sometimes need lawyers. Or lowly assistants.

[@gingercore69]

@@kathryngeeslin9509 well, i was just joking, but you actually make a good point...

[@satanofficial3902]

"Tachyon transmissions of volcanic mudflows ignite a wall around star kernels subducting organic ingredients for blueberries and carparks withholding leaping containers for alien personalities and creating quark chains. Oxygen-bearing pools of time and a comprehension of turnips in ecstasy quickly convey interstellar gas clouds attended by vienna sausages." ---Albert Einstein

[@satanofficial3902]

Fact checkers say..."Correct!"

[@artkoenig9434]

Cannabis, eh? Maybe that's why they called their God "The Most High"?

[@randyandy98]

That would explain the burning bush

[@SHDUStudios]

“That’s ‘cause of god, duuude.”

[@talonshadows4587]

Where is the Temple to a God of Cannabis located ? I need to make the sacred pilgrimage of the Devout. Always wondered why I have High Priest is my title...now I know LoL

[@garethbaus5471]

Well if a deity were omnipresent it very well might be simultaneously smoking every lit joint in existence.

[@moonshoes11]

Snoop Dog is….the most high.

[@StevenGreenGuz]

I'm a Christian, and I love Dr Andrew's work. He is so honest and so respectful. All power to him.

[@HolyKoolaid]

Yeah, he's done a really good job of being approachable to people of all religious backgrounds. I'm definitely more confrontational than him, but I really respect how he tries to stay non-sectarian/academic.

[@Nica-Ra-Wata]

So you follow Indian Krishna?

[@StevenGreenGuz]

@@Nica-Ra-Wata , Nope. I follow Christ.

[@crhu319]

@@StevenGreenGuz white Murka Jesus? Or brown rabbi Jesus?

[@StevenGreenGuz]

@@crhu319 , Well seeing as Yeshua was brown and a teacher, it would have to be the brown rabbi Jesus that I follow.

[@christopherconkright1317]

If god gave Israel as their land why did they have to conquer it… Should they not just have showed up and they bow down to their leaders?

[@Ravishrex1]

Should they not have just been there?

[@HolyKoolaid]

Oh btw, I'm giving you a PS5 for Christmas... It's at the neighbor's house. And you'll have to kill them for it.

[@lnsflare1]

@@HolyKoolaid Eh, I'll shank them for it once developers have had time to make more games for it.

[@Ravishrex1]

@@HolyKoolaid I'm a poor African please donate a ps5 or send address I'll sort your neighbor out

[@nemanjakurlagic4621]

@@HolyKoolaid hahahah

[@surgeeo1406]

As soon as I realized who the guest was, I fan-gasmed...

[@TurquoiseInk]

Me too! I love the Religion For Breakfast. He is very respectful, knowledgeable and fair.

[@PoeLemic]

@@TurquoiseInk And, sounds like Edward Norton ... so, what can be better than that? I could listen to my favorite actor 24/7/365 ...

[@mcawesomeytyo3312]

I really love the message of not abandoning the sacred texts as nothing but stories but admire them as mythology that explains in part the history of the Israelites and how they lived. It is just like Greek or Norse Mythology. These tales gives us a lens of the customs and traditions of the Israelites.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

This was great. And this video has enough content that I really feel a need to rewatch it. In my more religious days, I always wanted to research the archeology and history around the Biblical stories. To be fair, that is part of what started me on the path toward atheism.

[@andrewharper1609]

What started me down that road was starting to read the Bible when I was a cub scout. The fact that it didn't refer to bats as mammals turned me into a skeptic. I was about five or six years old at the time.

[@alvaroramos7564]

@@andrewharper1609 the bible isn't a scientific book . it would be a huge mistake to take it that way.its a book about God and The human race and salvation the authors of the Bible were not interested in scientific explanations to the natural world

[@ereyes6718]

@@alvaroramos7564 The bible is considered a holy book delivered by God, though.

[@spider-man9118]

while the Bible may have some contradictions due to mistranslations and whatnot, the message is still the same. "For God so loved the world, He gave His one and only Son, so that whoever believes in Him, will not perish, but have eternal life." -John 3:16 and we have various types of evidence that back up the Scriptures. hit me up if you're interested.

[@jamievans38]

I would recommend Michael Jones from Inspiring Philosophy who does incredible work defending the faith through historical and archaeological arguments

[@adalbertoklein8725]

It's amazing how much I learned about the history of the Bible in 50 minutes. I haven't seen such a good video about religion in a long time, please keep interviews like this coming. Congratulations!

[@thisisjeannie4723]

Just as this was uploaded my boyfriend and I were discussing the origins of the bible together and like an hour later I see this notification on my phone ❤️ and you say psychics aren't a thing.

[@HolyKoolaid]

Oh snap! You got me. The real reason I've been trying to convince people psychics are fake is so you wouldn't know that I've been telekinetically eavesdropping on your conversations with your boyfriend.

[@PA1606X]

@@HolyKoolaid You should not have said that😈😂😂

[@kevinmasilung]

@@HolyKoolaid a good one, don't forget me too.

[@engelbrecht777]

@Thisisjeannie hehe... hilarious comment. That is exactly how crazy religious people think.

[@vraska8799]

@@HolyKoolaid this is why you are an atheist! using telekinesis to lift a mic into someone's house instead of using telepathy wich is the eficient way of eavesdrop people's conversations. the 100% historicaly accurate book is not guilty of your missused magic powers!

[@watchtowerwitch4426]

I love "pure" speakers like you two. No "word whiskers" at all. "Professional" Speakers. Soooo many just really aren't qualified to speak publicly on youtube channels. jmo - not mentioning names. Also, no sluggish speaking, but fast with no annoying sounds or background mess. Highest quality I've EVER seen. Too many of them [John Cedars/Lloyd Evans] can't handle gentle criticism from viewers.

[@toastedwalnut]

It’s so weird I was literally researching this stuff all last week, it’s nice to have my thoughts compiled to one vid

[@robertrandolph9609]

Holy Koolaid has become my favorite of the “young atheist KZbin community.” No matter the topic or structure- it’s never a difficult follow.

[@pwoods100]

This has to be one of the most nuanced, deep, and information packed interviews on the subject I've ever heard. You can bet that I'm going to be a regular on Andrew's channel.

[@Dan_C604]

Excelente episode. People love drama and religious myths are full of it, it is engaging and gives them identity. But real history, real events are more mundane, rooted in slow processes with a lot of mixing and un-original ideas copying each other.

[@CasperLCat]

That was such a valuable intro to the whole non biblical scholarship of the OT period and cultures. Your guest is brilliant at simplifying all this for the novice, without being polemical or condescending. Excellent discussion!

[@guthrie_the_wizard]

I always love when different channels team up! Thanks for all you both do to support honest scholarship. I’d love to see a video on Biblical slavery, not just for what the Bible says, but what we know about the practice. Apologists often try to argue that it wasn’t really slavery, but that’s just not the case.

[@HolyKoolaid]

This is a great topic idea. :)

[@lilheckman4305]

Rationality Rules and Cosmicskeptics both have great videos bout that.... Youll love em

[@wmpratt2010]

Having this criticism is like criticizing a story from US history that mentions slavery. Its an institution that existed for as long as human history (yes even today). Keep in mind ALL of the Bible was written by men NOT God.

[@guthrie_the_wizard]

@@wmpratt2010 Except that God is supposed to be perfectly moral, loving, unchanging, powerful, and the Bible is supposed to be inspired by Him. This is an incredibly challenging burden to bear, but Christians claim it. Why would an existing deity fitting these qualifications allow for a clearly pro-slavery (and worse) book as a source of his authority? My claim: it’s far more plausible to say it’s made up by people and doesn’t represent anything other than early males in a violent culture attempting to explain their world and help justify their power within their culture.

[@guthrie_the_wizard]

@@lilheckman4305 Those are great videos. But, I’m hoping for scholarship that shows the practice itself and presented on a popular channel like Holy Koolaid. For example, Joshua Bowen has a book on the subject but his channel is very small.

[@greyback4718]

Dr. Andrew Henry is awsome! thanks for great interwiew!

[@HolyKoolaid]

You're welcome.

[@davidjanbaz7728]

@@HolyKoolaid Dr.Michael Heiser is much more awesome : I challenge you to have him on !

[@matthewj.r.visualarts2692]

Dr. Henry will forever be my favorite religious studies professor. Been tuned into his work since Freshmen year of college, 8 years in the know ✨

[@t1ff4nyall3n]

Monolatry resonates so much. It makes sense to me as someone who was raised a Southern Baptist until I became an adult, when I started questioning everything: My gender, my religion, and what to do with my life.

[@undrwatropium3724]

I wasn't raised in church or religious for that matter. My mom didn't convert to Christianity until I was 18 and out of the house. She married a southern Baptist deacon. My younger siblings had a very different experience growing up. Basically they had to go along with it all or be shunned. My mom didn't used to be a racist bigot either but that changed too. My daughter #Muslimbrooklyn converted to Islam 2 years ago. After studying both I found them to be equally unbelievable and I'm an atheist now

[@nicholassupino8775]

Archeology, anthropology and science is what I always go to to convince the religeous that all faith is based in myth (endlessly fascinating though) and has very little basis in historical fact.

[@jakobroynon-fisher9535]

And they still usually ignore it, from my interactions with Christian theists at least...

[@Ravishrex1]

What are your thoughts and comments on Satanism, symbols in Hollywood etc.

[@altairibnlaahad4431]

While I do believe that these biblical stories are inaccurate, there has to be some basis of historical foundation that was built upon. I mean, the authors of the Bible, Quran, and the Torah didn’t just pull things out of their asses when they wrote their passages. I’m not saying that these texts are true, but what interests me the most would be the historical events that inspired them. For example, what were the historical events that inspired David and the Goliath, Samson’s collapse of the Temple, the parting of the Red Sea, etc. they’d have to be fantastical and astounding feats for it to be exaggerated and recorded for generations.

[@jakobroynon-fisher9535]

@@altairibnlaahad4431 the events that you mentioned are simply propaganda.

[@altairibnlaahad4431]

@@jakobroynon-fisher9535 that is explainable and possible. But i would like to play Devil’s Advocate for a second. While written texts are more reliable as they do not go significant changes as oral stories do (with them losing their original meaning through a game of telephone that spans hundreds of generations) the records are at risk of embellishments, damage, or revision. So while I do think these stories are obviously fake, I would like to know what ideas and events they’re drawing from to make such a fantastical and surreal story that has defined an entire race of people.

[@bortiz11]

This is one of the best discussions of this type I've seen. Very well done. I'm proud to be a patron to such products!

[@badger1296]

Hey Thomas, I am one of your patrons and I just want to say that I am so proud of you. You are making a positive impact in the world 🌎 and however long you do this, you will continue to impact millions of people that you reached and all of those lives that those people touch, too. 🖤🤎↙️↙️↙️

[@a787fxr]

And your voice said what I thought. I guess that's the point. He said what we think.

[@badger1296]

@@a787fxr Although I am touched by your remark, I must differ because of Thomas's vast experiences of the world. I spent some time over seas in the military (here and there), but I was always a bit jealous of people like Thomas, who hold very little to no prejudices against a people that are demonized by those in the US (e.g. people from SW Asia). It is the truth: The anecdote to racism and bigotry is travel (outside of the military 🤣).

[@a787fxr]

@@badger1296 OK. I stand corrected I guess .

[@badger1296]

@@a787fxr Sorry Doug, I didn't mean to come off like an ässhole.

[@a787fxr]

@@badger1296 !:- )

[@387tallen]

It's always seemed to me decidedly odd that my Bible shows a magnificent Aqaba-to-Euphrates Jewish Empire, and yet I was never able to find any confirmation of the existence of that empire in the records of Egypt, or Hatti, or even Urartu or Syria. You'd think somebody would have noticed....

[@therongjr]

You should also check out the "Study of Antiquity and the Middle Ages" channel by Nick Barksdale, and his frequent guest Razib Khan, who approaches these "where did they come from?" questions from the perspective of DNA science.

[@jennieohk6911]

Thanks for the recommendation! Always looking for channels I haven't binge watched.... yet!!

[@Джонатан-р8д]

The more I learn the less and less seriously I can look at religion. It feels so primitive to still be maintaining these rituals in the 21st century. This stuff should be taught in every school.

[@DwayneShaw1]

Jesus is His own Daddy and He lives in the sky

[@elementalargon7597]

@@DwayneShaw1 "God sacrificed Himself to Himself as a loophole to a rule He Himself set up." --Matt Dillahunty

[@DwayneShaw1]

@@elementalargon7597 - "Virgin Birth!! .. an entire religion predicated on an oxymoron!" - Marquis de Sade

[@bcalvert321]

@@DwayneShaw1 3 very stupid comments.

[@DwayneShaw1]

@@bcalvert321 Well I only made one comment - and quoted one other person. Both of which have more substance than your vague bit of nothing. You do not actually refute anything - which makes you pointless. But, If you're hinting that you would like to have a discussion I would be fine with educating you. But it will require a bit more on your part than, "nuh-uh". And I'll need to know just what kind of delusion i"m dealing with. Are you a Christian? Muslim? Luddite? Dungeon Master?

[@PoeLemic]

The Professor sounds just like EDWARD NORTON ... Tell me if I ain't wrong. I knew I knew that voice, but wow -- love him as an actor. And, I also love this guy's Dr. Henry's Teachings.

[@Ravishrex1]

I'm a bit late sorry sir , I was smoking a blunt and having a beer behind the building , but I'm here now.

[@HolyKoolaid]

Well, it sounds to me like you had a reasonable excuse. :)

[@Ravishrex1]

@@HolyKoolaid You want any ?

[@alananimus9145]

Hey! What have you been told? If you don't have enough to share with the class...

[@quantumrobin4627]

What flavor?

[@saltnpepperpupper947]

Quieres?

[@oliverpaleen3092]

What a great and effective way to communicate the same ideas I have with people around me in such a professional and well thought out format!

[@j.gstudios4576]

Im christian but I really enjoyed this video and it helped me understand others views on the internet also I just like learning about things like this

[@guthrie_the_wizard]

Cheers for you looking outside your direct orthodoxy. The truth won’t be hurt by asking questions and thinking critically - wherever that may lead!

[@joe94c]

I don't want to be antagonist, but if we can trace Christianity to polytheism, how do you reconcile that with your monotheism?

[@j.gstudios4576]

@@joe94c israel worshiped other gods and we're somewhat polytheistic I don't really see the problem the bible even says that

[@davidjanbaz7728]

@@joe94c its not the source but a parallel course that plaged Israel in its history. See Dr.Michael Heiser videos on this topic.

[@davidjanbaz7728]

@@guthrie_the_wizard You should try it too, Dr.Michael Heiser videos!

[@exjwphilippines762]

i was born and raised as a Jehovah's Witness and was arrogantly confident i knew everything about the bible haha, now i know better, i love both of your channels and i keep on learning, keep them coming. more power to you and Andrew!

[@davidjanbaz7728]

See Dr.Michael Heiser videos before throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

[@Esoteric.Autochthon]

@@davidjanbaz7728 No she's good.

[@champagnelewis7049]

Religion for Breakfast is a fantastic channel, and I got excited when I saw and recognized the name and cartoon in your video thumbnail!

[@NoWay1969]

This is a wonderful format. Fascinating talk, but better for the animation and images.

[@davidjanbaz7728]

Elegant with an El cartoon!

[@KrytoRift]

Religion for breakfast is one of my favorite youtube channels across all genres

[@ogg5949]

I could listen to you guys speak on this subject for hours on end! Please do more of these interviews. They're fascinating.

[@alecsblayde13]

I’ve been subscribed to Andrew’s channel for about 2 years now. I really enjoyed this video and it was a great interview. Thoughtfully asked questions that were intellectually answered. Thank you.

[@SameAsAnyOtherStranger]

Convincing anyone that they are favored by God has to be the easiest sell ever.

[@sallycassian4494]

What's more brilliant and insidious is to tell people that they're favored by god...but when things go south for them (as is eventual and natural), instead of putting the blame on god for failing them, their priests (desperate to keep their jobs and not be lynched) told the people it was THEIR fault for being feckless, faithless and a sinner in god's eyes. No wonder god didn't help them. And people being mostly idiots, swallowed this and blamed themselves instead of their god.

[@silentwitness4843]

Or creating that narrative.. slam dunk into all of time forever and ever.

[@OverprotectedAtheist]

This is a great collaboration! I really liked the part about King Josiah having a different political system then the one that would have been around in David's time. Just shows how much we don't think about these things and how they affect the way we see things.

[@davidjanbaz7728]

Try Dr.Michael Heiser videos for a different perspective.

[@fordprefect5304]

@@davidjanbaz7728 Dr.Michael Heiser just another religious apologist trying to put a square peg in a round hole

[@JORDIIMusic]

Thanks for posting this Thomas! I've been an avid viewer of Dr Henry's videos which are both informative and highly detailed. It was great being able to hear his views on the archaeological record and dealing with the historicity of ancient texts. A pleasure to watch!

[@jooyoonchung3593]

An amazing interview with an amazing guest. Your questions were on point, and the answers were articulate and knowledgeable. Didn’t even notice the video was an hour long, it went by so quickly.

[@neekerbreeker]

This is irrelevant, but I love Holy Koolaid's living room! Books, globe, those cool bottles and comfy chairs. That would be such a nice place to sit and talk. The content at this channel is superb but so are the aesthetics 😉🧡

[@ivarhakuse8572]

Exactly what I was thinking! And looking to see if anyone else picked up on it. Do you think it’s an app? So not an irrelevant observation at all!

[@ericmishima]

Lol I read it wrong. I thought you meant "the video was irrelevant" but you liked his background. I'm so blur this morning lol

[@ivarhakuse8572]

@Mike Seork By the time I looked they’d all burnt out!!!

[@chrystgavenfamorcan8507]

As a fan of Religion for Breakfast, I have waited and wanted this Crossover 👍

[@breeze787]

That was fascinating. I just wish Christians would step out of their cocoon and watch these discussions about our religious history.

[@Kathy-n7f]

Like I stated before if GODS word is not truth than how is it GODS prophets prophecies have come to pass and are still coming to pass

[@breeze787]

@@Kathy-n7f You imply a lot of things my dear.

[@naciremasti]

Finally, more collaborations. Next up, part two 'Establishing the True Locations of the Bible.', with Dr. Miano, please and thanks Thomas.

[@davidjanbaz7728]

Any Bible book store!

[@anthonypc1]

Loving this team up!

[@NWPaul72]

I like your channel and I gotta say, getting Religiin for Breakfast in has *significantly* raised your stock in my eyes. Well done!

[@PMMagro]

Hint: When the big Midde East empires collapsed in the Bronze Age collapse smaller ones no longer had to pay tribute but could grow. Like the Israelites. Among others.

[@csrencz6942]

Phenomenal interview. Would love to hear opinions on Russel Gmirkins’ work regarding the Greek influence on Israelite theology

[@granthurlburt4062]

It is my opinion that ancient Greek philosophers may have had a large effect on Christian philosophy. The notion of Heaven as a perfect unflawed place resembles Plato's world of Forms. The stories of the life of the mythical Jesus are "parable" made up stories to show that Jesus was sacrified for human sins the same way that Jews did and Muslim still do sacrifice sheep in the same way Abraham did when God decided Abe didnt have to kill his own son after all.

[@benjalucian1515]

@@granthurlburt4062 you're not the only one. The New Testament gospels were written during a time when everything Greek was the rage, which is why they were written in Greek. It's not surprising at all that Jesus resembles a Greek demigod who spouts what is basically Greek philosophy.

[@RocketKirchner]

@@benjalucian1515 agree to a point . Platonic terminology gave the early church a language just as Buddhism today is giving the church a language . same message . Thomas Merton and the dalia lama dialogue in 68.

[@BaldingClamydia]

I thought I clicked on a ReligionforBreakfast video and was really confused when the intro started introducing him. :D Already subscribed to both of you

[@TheT-h-inker-er.]

What an epically enlightening discussion so succinctly packed into easily digestible segments. I know this sounds like I’m a personal friend writing a fake review, but I assure you it’s my real thoughts on this, and also, I’m trying to reclaim my lost writing prowess. Again, so informative!

[@aaroncoffman7267]

Thank you for the fair and balanced, respectful discussion. A lot of non-fundamental theists would actually agree with a lot here. Excellent video

[@josephdanieljirehdimacali4418]

An unexpected crossover to be sure with but a welcome one.

[@jrhermosura4600]

seeing andrew as a cartoon feels so weird 😂 when i hear his voice imagine his face in his usual vids

[@u.a.perfectace7786]

I feel validated that this an actual field of study backed by history, politics, culture, and research to factually explain the origins of the bible Even as a Christian [former now] i always had questions that no one at church ever asked and just blindly explained everything away by "just have faith and God will reveal everything".

[@danielharris6434]

Robert Alter’s The Art of Biblical Narrative was extremely helpful to me when it comes to question of what we should do with the biblical text given the archeological evidence.

[@DwayneShaw1]

In jail, they use it to roll joints and cigarettes - given the archeological evidence

[@AnubisGray]

Two of my favorite people on youtube!

[@Fruitytooty6969]

Aaaaahhhh i fucking love Andrew!! He was one of the people who helped me through my apostasy.. his videos are so fun

[@Thexderify]

Awesome interview. Thank you doing this. Really interesting listening to Andrew's take

[@watch426]

Wow, I never thought of Israel as Yisra-'el I looked it up, and it seems that all the archangels' manes are also connected, Michael="who is El?", Gabriel="El is strong"

[@pareja90210]

Wow. I discovered both these KZbinrs TODAY and I already get a crossover? We are truly spoiled ... Subscribed.

[@TheBassweight]

Super interesting material once again! Hope to see more religion origin content like this. thumbs up from Belgium!

[@thelyrebird1310]

I always thought manna was biblespeak for mushrooms... they tend to "magically appear" overnight

[@tomlaflamme2118]

What I never hear is when any of us criticize or question anything regarding Jews or Israel and we get call antisemitic?? I myself accept Jews as people the religious culture I do question so much of the history and the Bible but it’s unfair to throw the antisemitic wooed around. Anyone else understand what I’m saying??

[@mickeydecurious]

I think what you're saying is that you feel as if you can't even ask a question, or make a comment without somebody coming back and calling you antisemitic🤔 All they're about to call me that too, because I do not agree with supporting Israel because of their war with Palestine 🤷 I'm not buying that biblical blessings if I blessed them, cursings if I curse them crap either😊

[@silentwitness4843]

That's why no atheists tackle Judaism they tackle Christianity and Islam. I am searching for that which disbunks the scriptures and concludes Judaism itself is debunked. Can't find it.

[@kingmalcolm9605]

The way you speak on your videos is engaging. Makes me wanna keep listening

[@NoirpoolSea]

My two favorite religious channels together.. Awesome job!

[@nathangarcia7569]

I didn’t think it possible but you really outdid yourself. I love both channels soooo much

[@Andrewbreeze316]

You asked such good questions. I kept thinking in my head what I’d ask and then you’d immediately ask it lolz Also, can we get an interview with Israel Finklestein himself? I will patreon you so hard if you think we can do more interviews like this! Edit: I mean monthly patreon you, I already randomly give one-time donations

[@jeromewright93]

A good question about the Kingdom of David is also how independent it was. Herod was a "king" but he was a Roman client king. Was David a client king as well? None of the neighboring people mention a great empire even as a flash in the pan.

[@davidjanbaz7728]

Ask the Philippines: oh sorry I guess you can't!

[@Rain-Dirt]

Just wanting to add a small detail to the images shown @3:10. These are not MRI images but CT images. :) Since the guest was mentionning MRI and not CT. The MRI he's talking about more specifically is most likely fMRI = functional MRI, which shows places of activity.

[@HolyKoolaid]

Ah, my mistake. I'm clearly not a neuroscientist. Thanks for the correction.

[@Rain-Dirt]

@@HolyKoolaid Love your work btw!

[@kameelffarag]

Andrew Henry is a highly respected walk-in, setting and standing religious historical encyclopedia

[@JohnDlugosz]

How do they know that the pillar figures are goddesses rather than, say, their equivalent of Barbie?

[@davidjanbaz7728]

Baal and Asherah are common gods of the middle East with each culture giving them different names or similar types of gods but similar in child sacrifice to baal the head of the Gods and Asherah the fertility god of crops. There were alot cultic sites in Israel and 2 Kings ch.17 explains this.

[@laurencedankel4751]

The pillar figures would have been too big and awkward for children to play with. These were not girl-centric cultures, to put it mildly, so the number that exist argue against their being toys. Dolls from other cultures tended to be made of wood.

[@chanmanarthur8068]

Amazing video. Watching both of you helped bring me out of religion. I love your content. Been watching both of you both religiously :P

[@KillboFraggins]

Awesome subject to dissect. Some people actually think God wrote it and it magically appeared on earth. The same people that think Harry Potter is evil. It’s all fairytales

[@andrewharper1609]

And yet we have more evidence of Harry Potter.

[@davidjanbaz7728]

@@andrewharper1609 a book is a book, HP only had one writer!

[@fordprefect5304]

@@davidjanbaz7728 At least the writer of HP didn't plagiarize other civilizations

[@catholicdad]

So . . . you DIDN'T watch the video?

[@KillboFraggins]

@@catholicdad I didn’t. I also know that something that happened 2,000 years ago has absolutely no relevance to me today. I would never use a cook book, medical book or any litterateur from even 1,000 years ago. So outdated.

[@ikazuchioni]

I get so giddy when my favorite YTer's make a collab!

[@robisonlangdon8527]

I love this guy so glad he brought me to your channel! I love God and I’m interested in the history of my beliefs

[@RobinPillage.]

Hell, I think I'll have a second helping of religion for breakfast with another tall glass of holy kool-aid, that was even more interesting than I knew it was going to be.

[@KogiSyl]

This story of Israel reminds me of history of Poland. More specifically the late 10th century, when Poland was "baptized" (willfully, not conquered). So the point is, we don't know the history of Poland before it became christian. The monotheistic religion of Christianity is not like polytheistic religions (ancient roman, greek, also we know that in Poland there existed a polytheistic religion before Christianity) that usually incorporated old religions. The history of older Poland was practically erased and it was erased intentionally by the first Christians and clergy on those terrains. So my point is, that the story of Israel could've been erased and reinvented when Israel adopted a monotheistic religion. Somehow this monotheism cannot bear the existence of other religions before it.

[@DwayneShaw1]

But there still is some evidence of Poland's pre-Christian history. Their pagan religions weren't considered 'rooted out' until the 15th century - and that 'rooting out' was often brutal (your example is pretty accurate, but misses as an analogy). Unless we claim ancient theists were aware of what modern archeology looks for, and intentionally hid it - and intentionally planted misleading items - we would still find sufficient evidence to disprove much of the Bible's historical claims - like the fact that David was a tribal chieftain - not the claimed 'Ruler of a mighty kingdom'. You make a very good point that, "this monotheism cannot bear the existence of other religions before it." Another example would be the Jesus Myth. The Christian mythology was plagiarized from several more ancient 'resurrection cults' collectively known as 'The Mysteries' - which was acknowledged very early on by Christians. This is why Justin Martyr, considered the earliest Christian Apologist, said in a letter to the Roman Emperor (circa 150 CE), "And when we say also that the Word, who is the first-birth of God, was produced without sexual union, and that He, Jesus Christ, our Teacher, was crucified and died, and rose again, and ascended into heaven, we propound nothing different from what you believe regarding those whom you esteem sons of Jupiter." This is another reason the Church was so adamant about burning books - to destroy the evidence that there was nothing special or novel about the Jesus Myth - and yet, The Apology survives ...

[@logans.butler285]

Gosh, this is gonna be good

[@dougcortes6567]

Well done. Sums up my overall understanding. Your summary at the end makes it even more concise, but I really like the more thorough explanation. Now I have a place to send folks that does a much better job than I when asked about my opinion and understanding of the history of Israel and Judaism. Mind you, I still have faith, but it was never based on historical accuracy of the Bible to begin with. Keep up the good work.

[@gmcrosa]

An amazing crossover of two of the youtubers I like the most. An excellent video, thanks! Virtual "abrazos" from Uruguay. PS: The portraits of virgin Mary and Ganesha hanging on the wall are a fantastic detail!

[@askani21]

Thomas, this was an incredible interview! High quality, informative, interesting, great guest. That's some next level content creation!

[@trishayamada807]

This was worth the time to watch it. Thank you for all the work you both did. I really learned a lot.

[@spiritualanarchist8162]

Fascinating how these tribal writings of these insignificant kingdoms, became part of some huge religion global religion millennia later.

[@spiritualanarchist8162]

@Ricky Upchurchofcourse it was the Romans.Without them this little sect would have died out.

[@shadowboy23]

Hats off to Dr Henry here for finding and maintaining a balanced perspective on his view points. I have seen other academics who were previously Christian completely dismiss the accounts in the bible as garbage. The issue with this approach is that you are saying that NOTHING in there is true and that's impossible to conclude. Being mindful and respectful of biblical text and fusing it with current day archeological findings and presenting this information is an artform on its own. So well done, love your work and you have a new fan :)

[@stephanieliechty5890]

I’m a Christian and I belong to a rather unorthodox church. My parents raised me to view the Old Testament as “midrash” or stories that may or may not be based on fact. Works for me!

[@davidjanbaz7728]

What church? Sounds very liberal as in believing the German critics of the 18th century! Which this channel certainly does.

[@stephanieliechty5890]

david janbaz- It’s a tiny (as you might expect) branch of the UCC. I’m not ready to give up the rituals yet as I still find them comforting, and I find this church acceptable. It accepts gays, transgender, etc. of course we’re considered apostate!

[@stephanieliechty5890]

David janbaz- forgot to add that the UCC was originally the German Reformed church so you are on the right track!

[@bigdude8468]

I loved the Monty Python clip where the crusades were referenced!!! Hilarious!!! I love it!!! 😋🙃🤪😅😂🤣 You guys have too much fun!!! 🤠🥳😺 (Or maybe you can never have too much fun???) 😎

[@shockostrichpaak640]

Omg I've followed you for months but just found his channel yesterday. This is amazing 👏 🙌

[@richardfurness7556]

Sometimes insight into the origins of religion can come from the most unlikely of sources. In Keith Feiling's 1950 'A History Of England', most of which can politely be described as 'of its time', there is a wonderfully evocative early chapter that describes the settlement of southern Britain in the centuries after the Romans left. It contains the phrase "at this time [the Anglo-Saxon] Gods were but heroes writ large". They were men, whose tales - to borrow from Tolkien - grew in the telling.

[@pansepot1490]

Heard it other times and I find it very credible that gods (at least in part) started out like real figures who “grew” in the subsequent retelling. Plenty of evidence of that myth creating process throughout history. Take Jesus for instance. Started out as a preacher, his followers called him “anointed” by god (messiah=Christ), then after his death myth began rapidly to grow. First the resurrection, then from figuratively son of god to literal son of god, then from son of god to god himself.

[@davidjanbaz7728]

@@pansepot1490 1Corinthians ch 15 was very early preceeding the Gospels . This resurrection was right from the start like three days post death and Paul a killer of Christians was totally changed to a witness for the resurrection by the Apostles and included himself as one who saw the risen christ totaling 500+. The Son is both the Son and God : just as you are a Son/ daughter and human .

[@TomChaton]

@@davidjanbaz7728 cool story bro

[@Larry30102]

This is a great video. I appreciate his objective discussion. For me what was refreshing is that I didn’t pick up on any dogma as you might get from ‘religious’ archeologists who out to prove their beliefs. He obviously enjoys this area of study. Big thank you.

[@andrefasset3266]

My take-away, from all my Christian education as a child (now 68) was to surmise that most religious historical texts were written well after any actual events occurred. I include all the old testament "prophets" in this, and am willing to bet that most of the books were written "after", not "before", the events occurred. (As were the new testament texts also.) In today's vernacular, hindsight is 20-20 !

[@Kathy-n7f]

Than explain the vision given to Daniel about the United States coming into being as a man standing and also the great rivers eupraties drying up or a river flowing in the desert now or the dead sea coming back to life as well as many minor prophecies coming true they did not write them after this happened as we live cause their all dead

[@michelbrisebois4317]

For the Greeks, Romans, Egyptians and all the likes, we say mythology. For the 3 main cults, we say religion. I only see mythology all over.

[@flammmenspeeryt9184]

AMEN!

[@howdoyouknow1218]

You got that right. Religion is just mythology that doesn’t know it yet.

[@marketingweb8772]

Indeed

[@baphometos]

People should know the difference between Mythology and History...

[@RocketKirchner]

they cant because they are intertwined

[@Survivorchj]

It seems to be pretty likely that the Kings of the Old Testament Bible were actually the Pharaohs of Egypt... based on archaeological records... I could be wrong, but it does seem like (Tut)Moses had a lot in common with Akhenaten.

[@davidjanbaz7728]

See: Dr.Michael Heiser videos.

[@bubbap.9779]

@Christopher Jacobs I've heard people say that Christianity is the Ancient Egyptian Religion, just repackaged, including the Story of Jesus, which is a word for word carbon copy of Osiris's Story, now I don't know if that's true, but when you look at The Holy Bible in that context, then it would make sense that the Kings of the Old Testament were Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs, and that (Tut)Moses was exiled by his father King Akhenaten, but I don't believe that's the case, just that it's possible, and that this isn't the first time that I've heard that theory.

[@fluffysheap]

Jesus has almost nothing in common with Osiris. The only thing they share is resurrection. Aside from that, Osiris has a lot more in common with the Greek Hades, a dour god representing a bleak afterlife and also, symbolically, winter (compare the Greek Persephone story to the birth of Horus, representing spring). But it's certainly true that much of the Old Testament is intertwined with Egypt, especially the many Israelites with Egyptian names and the Ark of the Covenant, which probably derives from Egyptian artifacts. Which is what you'd expect since so much of the Old Testament involved Egypt, and historically Canaan/Palestine was occupied by Egypt and was a trade partner when it wasn't occupied.

[@greggrobinson5116]

The beautiful thing is, the truth about these religious origins is even more amazing and miraculous than the biblical account.