Understanding Sin And Evil

In this week’s episode, we continue with Ben Sira and how the book of Ben Sira reflects a range of views on sin. What can this teach us about context in ancient texts? Listen and find out! The post #18: Ben Sira — The Context of Sin and the Beauty of Pairs appeared first on Understanding Sin and Evil.

In this episode we discuss Ben Sira, and how his approach to the evil inclination is a predecessor of a prominent modern understanding of the “problem” of sin. What does it mean to believe in a God who created humans and hates sin, while acknowledging that people still “like” to sin? … The post #17: Between Fire and Water: The Evil Inclination and Free Will in Ben Sira appeared first on Understanding Sin and Evil.

In this podcast, we discuss the first place an “evil inclination” is mentioned in the Bible: the description of the state of humanity before and after the Flood, seen through divine eyes. Unlike the defined “yetzer hara” in later Rabbinic literature, the human “evil inclination” of the Bible is closer to … The post #16: The Inevitability of Evil? The Evil Inclination and the Flood appeared first on Understanding Sin and Evil.

Why is the War Scroll more “universal” than other Qumran texts? Why does the attitude of the Qumran Community toward outsiders “change” in the different Scrolls? And where does Belial come in? Tune in to the conclusion of the “demonic” section of the podcast to hear the answers! Special thanks … The post #15: Demons at War: Belial in the War Scroll appeared first on Understanding Sin and Evil.

In this episode, we discuss Belial’s role in the Damascus Document, an important rule text in the Dead Sea Scrolls. What are the “traps” of Belial? How did Belial (at least in the Damascus Document) “help” Qumran community members be more sympathetic towards outsiders? And what happens when a Qumran … The post #14: A Kinder, Gentler Belial? The Damascus Document & Belial’s “Traps” appeared first on Understanding Sin and Evil.

In this episode, we read the Dead Sea Scrolls — specifically, the Community Rule — closely and examine the Qumran community’s view of Belial and sin. How was Belial used to define the sect and others? Did the Qumran community really think that people were born into the lot of Belial or the lot of … The post #13: The Lot of Belial in the Community Rule – Born that Way? appeared first on Understanding Sin and Evil.

In this Shavuot “bonus” episode, we will discuss the special status of the Torah for fighting sin, in both Second Temple literature and later Talmudic texts. (Download the source sheet here.) We will look at: Dead Sea Scroll prayers that reflect the belief in the metaphysical power of the Torah to … The post #12: Shavuot Episode! Torah versus Sin in Second Temple & Talmudic Thought appeared first on Understanding Sin and Evil.

In this episode, we will continue our exploration of satanic figures in Second Temple texts. After recapping our last episode, we will discuss the varied role of Mastema in the Book of Jubilees, both as the head of the Watchers and as the “Satan stand-in” for most of the book. Why did … The post #11: The Demon in Charge? Mastema in the Book of Jubilees appeared first on Understanding Sin and Evil.

With this episode we begin a new “chapter” in our series. We’ve looked at how the Watchers story developed into the idea that demons cause sin. But what about the “big guy” himself – where do we find The Devil (capital t, capital d) or, as we’re fond of calling … The post #10: In Search of Satan – “Sātān” and Adversaries in the Hebrew Bible appeared first on Understanding Sin and Evil.

In this episode, I discuss: The different biblical texts discovered at Qumran The nature of “Scripture” during the Second Temple period The process of canonization and why “canon” can mean something different for Jews and for Christians The importance of interpretation for a “Scripturized” Bible And as a special bonus, … The post #9: What Bible? Scripture, Canonization & Interpretation in the Second Temple Period appeared first on Understanding Sin and Evil.

Your questions answered! In this Q&A I tackle questions you have sent me on previous episodes: Adam and Eve’s punishment The “myth” of the Watchers Demonic possession Repentance in the Hebrew Bible In my next episode, I will address your questions on the status of the Hebrew Bible and “canon” … The post #8: Q&A on Adam & Eve, the Watchers, Demons & Repentance appeared first on Understanding Sin and Evil.

Learn how the Watchers are portrayed in the Dead Sea Scrolls and how they are “used” to explain sin. And where are the Watchers in the Talmud? Discover the echoes of the Watchers story in later Jewish tradition. In this episode, we explore:  Where the Watchers appear in the texts of the … The post Understanding Sin and Evil #7: The Watchers in the Dead Sea Scrolls and Later Jewish Tradition appeared first on Understanding Sin and Evil.

How did the author of Jubilees try to solve the “problem” of evil? In this episode we will explore how the story of the Watchers developed through the book of Jubilees and how the author of Jubilees used this “later” interpretation (compared to the Book of the Watchers in Enoch) to explain evil … The post Understanding Sin and Evil #6: The Evil that Remains – Jubilees, the Watchers and Mastema appeared first on Understanding Sin and Evil.

In this action-packed episode, we will discuss: The status of Enoch and the Book of Enoch in Second Temple Judaism The popularity of the solar calendar in the Second Temple period and at Qumran The traditions of the Watchers in the Book of the Watchers (1 Enoch 1-36) The retelling … The post Understanding Sin and Evil #5: Enoch and the Watchers Traditions appeared first on Understanding Sin and Evil.

In this episode, we will discuss the beginning of what is later known as the “Watchers myth”: the story of the mating of “bnei ‘elohim” with human women in Genesis 6:1-4. What is the original biblical story actually about? Who were the nephilim? Tune in and find out! Don’t forget … The post Understanding Sin and Evil #4: Who Watches the Watchers? appeared first on Understanding Sin and Evil.

The episode you’ve been waiting for! You can download the source sheet here.  (It’s not necessary to understand the episode, but it will add to your experience.) Learn how rarely the Dead Sea Scrolls and Second Temple Literature use the stories of Adam and Eve and of Cain and Abel to explain … The post Understanding Sin and Evil #3: Death or Evil? Adam and Sin in the Second Temple Period appeared first on Understanding Sin and Evil.