The Case for Ancient Monotheism Documentary
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 มี.ค. 2020
- Monotheism is assumed to have first emerged around 500 BC, but there is an overwhelming amount of stunning evidence monotheism emerged thousands of years ago and may precede all other forms of religion.
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So a couple of things to note:
The first is I would encourage everyone to watch to the end as I will push back on some of Lang and Schmidt's conclusion and actually disagree with them on some things. This is not a video arguing for original monotheism. This is a video on ancient monotheism. That will be made clear at the end.
The second issue is there is a debate among scholars if the epic, "Enmerkar and the Lord of Aratta" should be translated to reflect a time in the past. It might be referring to a future event, but for the purposes of this video, it is mainly being used as a hook, not part of my main thrust of evidence.
Third, Schmidt argued the pigmy tribes in central Africa were one of the most, if not the most, primitive culture out there. Many of these tribes have turned out to be polytheistic, but some, like the Batwa, do seem to be monotheistic.
Fourth, the terms, monotheism, and polytheism, are probably not the best terms to describe any religion, but they are overwhelmingly accepted by the culture we live so I am working within those parameters. This is why in the video I try to use the term "monotheistic" more than saying they were strict monotheists. I hope this becomes clear when you use catholicism as an example.
Sources:
Samuel Noah Kramer - The Babel of Tongues: A Sumerian Version (1968)
Enmerkar and the Lord of Aratta- etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/section1...
Andrew Lang - The Making of Religion
A. W. Howitt - The Native Tribes of South-East Australia
Wilhelm Schmidt - "The Origin and Growth of Religion," and, "High Gods In North America"
Winfried Corduan - In the Beginning God
Mircea Eliade - The Quest: History and Meaning in Religion
Aboriginal 'memories' of Australia's coastline go back more than 7,000 years
www.sciencedaily.com/releases...
Early human occupation of southeastern Australia: New insights from 40Ar/39Ar dating of young volcanoes
pubs.geoscienceworld.org/gsa/...
Alfred Radcliffe-Brown - Structure and Function in Primitive Society, Essays and Addresses
Lester Hiatt - Arguments about Aborigines
Lloyd Warner - A Black Civilization
Geza Rohiem - Australian Totemism
Arthur Lehmann & James Myers - Magic, Witchcraft, & Religion
K. Langloh Parker - The Euahlayi Tribe
Blake Grangaard & David Noss - A History of the World's Religions
Edward Gifford - The Cultural Position of the Coast Yuki
Jay Miller - High-Minded High Gods in North America
Edward Curtis - The North American Indian, Vol 14
Roland Dixon - Maidu Texts
The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (1977)
C.R. Coulter & P. Turner - Encyclopedia of Ancient Deities
Edward Lenik - Making Pictures in Stone
Keith Carlson - The Power of Place, The Problem of Time
Mary A. Robison - Mi'kmaw Religion in Eskasoni, Nova Scotia
Terry Leblanc Lecture - • Video
Edward Mann - The Aboriginal Inhabitants of the Andaman Islands
Pursenla Ozuku - Theistic & Animistic Beliefs of the Supernatural
Gwinyai Muzorewa - African Origins of Monotheism
W.E. Abraham - The Mind of Africa
John Mbiti - Concepts of God in Africa
Rukwaro & Maina - Transformation of Maasai Art and Architecture
W.S. & K. Routledge - With a Prehistoric People
David P Crandal- The Place of Stunted Ironwood Trees
Michael Gelfand - The Shona Religion
Molefi Kete Asante & Ama Mazama - Encyclopedia of African Religion
Tobias Haller - The Contested Floodplain
Steadman, Lyle B., et al. The Universality of Ancestor Worship
www.questia.com/library/journ...
Jordan Paper - The Deities Are Many
Edward Surman - Mobile People, Mobile God
Scott Littleton & Peter Conner - “Inca” Gods, Goddesses, and Mythology, vol. 6
Gordon Brotherston - Latin American Traditional Religions
Juliet Clutton-Brock - The Walking Larder
J. Howland Rowe - Eleven Inca Prayers from the Zithhuwa Ritual
Tarmo Kulmar - On Supreme Sky God From the Aspect of Religious History
Jeremy Black - The Literature of Ancient Sumer
Jean Bottero - Mesopotamia: Writing, Reasoning, and the Gods
T.J. Meek - Hebrew Origins
Marvin Pope - El in the Ugaritic Text
Karel Van Der Toorn - Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Bible
Henryk Simon - Wilhelm Schmidt’s Theory of Primitive Monotheism
This video is truly inspiring. I heard a story many years ago: A Christian missionary in the old west was speaking with an American native about the God of the Bible. He listened intently to all she had to say. When she was done, he said, "I know all you have told me about God is true. I have seen him in nature, and in my life. I knew he was with me, I just did not know his name."
The Bible even talks about this. Another loss for the atheists.
@@allycatnaranjo8960They keep racking up Ls.
My daughter is having confirmation classes and the Priest told us a similar story from his own missionary work in Asia. He stood at the bottom of the hill, they came down and listened to him for a while before saying that they knew what he had said was true because they already knew the start of the story and asked to be baptised.
I have a bit to say, but what I'm about to say will further affirm this video.
I'm a native Australian. I was so stoked to hear IP talk about us and reference us because we don't get a lot of world wide recognition. I'll also say that while my people were not technologically advanced at all - our collective thoughts and ideas within our tribes are profound. We have an insanely metaphysical way of thinking, aboriginal people were not naturalists in the slightest lol. There was a very real belief in the metaphysical and our culture strongly reflected that through our celebrations and stories.
*I have an amazing story from my tribe later on this comment*
Firstly I'll say, those sceptics who suggested that aboriginals adapted our stories to what the missionaries taught are absolutely false. These people don't know aboriginal people, lol. Our stories have stayed the same for thousands of years, and they have a huge cultural impact. Our stories, our land and our celebrations ARE our culture. To change our stories and to adapt them to what missionaries shared is incredibly unlikely. I have not come across one documented war between aboriginals over land, because aboriginal people had a lot of their stories shaped around their land as well as their dances. You didn't want someone else's land, because your land WAS your story, IT WAS your dance and It was YOUR culture. There was no desire to take other land because as I said, there wasn't physical attachment to the land but a metaphysical one. And if this is true what I say about the significance of land and culture, then how also is important the stories of my people? This isn't something we would change and adapt.
Heres an amazing dream time story now. A protector of my people was the Goanna, it's a big powerful lizard. and the story goes... this protector who was a powerful goanna battled a serpent to protect us. He won the battle, but during the battle the Goanna was critically hurt by the serpent, it was struck on its side which caused serious bleeding. And during the rain season, the people would go to this cave where it had red ochre, and the rain would run down the red ochre, which looked like blood - the people would stand under the the red ochre and let it drip onto them as appreciation for the goanna saving them from the serpent (sound familiar at all)
There is so so so much more. I learn from an elder of mine, who has spent his years preaching to our people to explain to them that the bible isn't a "white mans" book but rather it is the completion of our stories and culture.
Currently, all his kids and grand kids are recording and taking notes of everything he has to say, because hes very old now. We are trying to get as much wisdom, and knowledge from his years of study as possible before he returns to his maker. I love christian apologetics and I often use knowledge of my culture to make arguments about the innate desire for God. And I will carry the wisdom passed on to me from my elder.
Well done on the video IP. I read someone in the comment section that they were offended by you saying "primitive culture" it's okay, I know what you meant by that. You don't get offended by words when you listen to the ideas being pushed behind the words.
For other readers, some perspective on (a part) of what is meant by songs and stories being Aboriginal Australian's cultural identity, and that identity being tied to their land: it is not unusual for navigation to be done through song. You learn the song, which can itself be a story. You start off in the direction the song instructs. The song sets your travel cadence and almost without a hitch, as you come to landmarks, the song sings of them, and also directs you on the next leg. Pretty ingenious, really.
The significance here is that many of these songs can revolve about vital features in the environment, like sources of water (be it the intended destination, or just availability along the way). Else they might contain in them knowledge of hazards to expect on a given trip. Part of how you know you're on the right track is (in some cases) that you're journey should reflect what you're singing about. If it isn't... you might be in danger.
Point is, the suggestion these people would change their culture in songs and tradition is like the suggestion of changing one's map. It MIGHT happen after enough time and persuasion that the replacement map provided is more accurate/useful description, but certainly not so soon as to conclude a 'primitive' peoples are merely adopting from the 'advanced' culture impressing on them; these people's lives could genuinely rely on maintaining the integrity of their story and song. They're not simply going to abandon them because another story sounds more plausible or 'advanced'.
For those curious for more information search: "Songline", or "Dreaming track"
Thanks for sharing, Blade.
Thank you for your story! What area of Australia were your people from and what is the name of God in your language?
@@BeRitCrunk Some people dont believe in the idea that if God speaks to you that you would do everything you can to write down what ever God said for fear of not getting it right or getting it wrong, do not understand that you would want to keep the compete record of what God talked about, as God said it.
@Blade Leo
It's good to hear from you, very interesting, I have read about your people in a book, it was a poem probably,, I don't remember much, but I know this,, but I remember the *metaphysical* and *wisdom* part very well, it is incorporated with your people, deep within you,, good to hear from you..
@@BeRitCrunk
"it is not unusual for navigation to be done through song"
Compare the underground railroad song "Follow the Drinking Gourd." Do not know if this originated in an African tradition.
th-cam.com/video/pw6N_eTZP2U/w-d-xo.html
This video is a very powerful, very slow mic drop.
Mike Winger in the House!
MIIIIIIIIIKKKKKKKKKEEEEEEE!!! Im a big fan of your videos brother. Im currently struggling with my relationship with Christ right now. I just keep sinning man. I know you get this alot but if you can stand in the gap and pray a small prayer for me I would appreciate it man. I know it is a bit awkward being that you don't know me and all but a small prayer would really mean alot. But don't feel pressure though man I know your busy! Love your vids!!!
Chazz Ascoli you got it Chazz
@@MikeWinger 😄😄😄
@@CultofGrace God's grace be upon you sir
"I barely scratched the surface."
Me, uneducated: "Is this a video encyclopedia?"
IP is like a strong midfielder in soccer. He can attack, defend, and has creativity to boot.
Educated Christians, emulate this guy and open your own Christian apologetics channel. Don't let him work alone!
Thank you! :)
I’m not smart enough. I’ll being praying for y’all though.
true he is like frenkie de jong 3.0 ;-)
@Akon Ali lol islam allah doesnt even know he is a god muhammad told him
@Akon Ali muhammed ordered women and babies to be killed....they belong to them! mohammad the murderer ordered of a mother of 4 to be killed cause she wrote a poem about molly.
You Deserve a award for this stellar Documentary with a stage and Inspiring speech to boot. 👏👏Well Done Sir, Well Done.
@Akon Ali It is not literal children as in small kids. It means children as in "people, who makes wrong right and right wrong". Therefore called children as they are like children to an idea. We are also a child to our parents, even when we grow old in age. So to be a child, is in no way entitled to small kids. Hope this helps.
I've always had a suspicion that ancient cultures might have developed polytheism later. When a good chunk of polytheistic religions tend to have at least an uncreated eternal primordial god. Interesting results IP.
It is very interesting. Not to mention philosophy early on recognized the one god.
Polytheism is a combo of ancestor worship and personification of natural forces
If modern scholars believed in evolution, from simple to conplex, why can't they apply it to anthropology?
@Akon Ali the trinity isnt a polytheistic belief it is actually monotheistic because all 3 aspects are the same one god, not three seperate gods but the same God
Your assumption has been proven to be true based on anthropological and ethnological studies. If you study ancient religious texts, we will find it clearer that polytheism came after.
Seriously, what is there not to like about this video? The script was well researched, the general argument was properly structured and expressed in clear language, the visuals were almost artistically executed; what more do you want? Some people just would eat horse crap and ask for more if the cook was on their team of beliefs.
The remark is 100 IQ, not gonna lie, I'm steaing this😂
Even many polytheistic religions had one main god (Zeus, Jupiter, Ra, Marduk, Assur, etc) and the others were "lesser gods". So at it's core polytheism has traces of monotheism.
Brilliant research, this should be aired on History channel for the whole world to see.
Thanks, but they are too busy airing shows on how the pyramids are alien space crafts built by the inhabitants of Atlantis.
@@InspiringPhilosophy lol, so true. Anyhow, good work mate
I understand Zeus but Zeus was created by Kronos and that doesn't really align well maybe if you go back to the first God in Greek Mythology it would make more sense. But I get your point though.
Eliade fits all these gods in the "Uranian" category since they live in the sky, are attributed with rain, thunder, etc. and are the creators of the universe, just like Uranos (Oranos/Uranus) in Greek Mythology. I reccomend reading his book on the history of religions, it's very well done.
The other gods are not "lesser" in any inherent sense however. Zeus isn't inherently more powerful than say, Poseidon, he just holds as the chief deity of his pantheon, which according to myth he was give by chance, while his brothers got the sea and the underworld. Marduk won the position of chief deity by killing the goddess Tiamat. Whether Marduk or Aššur was the dominant god depended on the political climate, during Babylonian dominance Marduk was supreme, while during Assyrian dominance, Aššur ruled.
Polytheistic religions are a lot like modern day sports teams. People are devoted to their teams and see their teams as the best, even if that team preform horribly. Now imagine if there was such a thing as a state-sponsored team (within the country, not like world championships) That team would have the most reach and thus the most supporters.
Me: There is no way I’m going to watch an hour long TH-cam video.
IP posts hour long video: I’m deff watching this!
KY ASMR Totally
@Akon Ali Sahih International Surah An-nisa [4:157]-And for their saying, ‘Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the messenger of Allah.’ And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but another was made to resemble him to them.
This verse above in the Quran affirms that Allah is a deceiver. Now that makes a big problem for Islam as the bible tells this about the deceiver: [Revelation 12:8-9] But the dragon was not strong enough, and no longer was any place found in heaven for him and his angels. And the great dragon was hurled down-that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
You and any muslim also need to watch this video: "The Quran, the Bible, and the Islamic Dilemma".
May God save your soul.
@@JamesAsp it's probably just a copy paste thing
@anonymous guy
The quran describes Allah as the greatest of deceivers
www.answering-islam.org/Shamoun/allah_best_deceiver.htm
@@carsonwall2400 Amen.
You missed Shangdi, the supreme god of the Chinese, dating back to at least 2000 BC
That’s how Chinese Christians like me say God in Chinese lol
Everyone always miss it. I was shocked when I learned of God in China 🇨🇳
@@simonyan8399Catholics tend to adopt the other name used to describe the supreme chinese deity: Tian/Tianzhu (Heaven/Lord of Heaven)
Whilst we might not be able to argue that each culture received divine revelation, it could be argued that the first humans (ie, when humans were smaller in numbers and possibly only one tribe) received divine revelation, and as mankind spread throughout the world and became more diverse in language, culture and appearance, that the initial revelation was remembered and passed on, even if later embellishments were added to accommodate cultural shifts, which then might account for the diversity in interpretation of the initial revelation. In any case, this was a highly informative and well laid out presentation, and it is much appreciated.
Wild specullation, humans have never been just one tribe.
There where diferent species off homenidae much before humans.
@@rodrigorafael.9645 Have you any proof that they were never one tribe?
@@myrddingwynedd2751 The burden of proove is in the one making the affirmation, but yes i have.
Hunter-gatherer tribes don't get much more than a hundred members, if we came from such a tiny population today we would be severely deficient, if not extinct.
Cheetahs were reduced to a few thousand individuals in the remote past and even today suffer from genetic problems of their small genetic diversity .
This Tale of all humans came from a single people it's pure mythology, do you have any idea how inbreed Noah's great-grandchildren would be? everyone would be related in some way, Nimrod's generation would be made up of a bunch of severely deformed and infertile people.
From the Islamic perspective, every nation did receive a Messenger.
@@rodrigorafael.9645 Doesn't even science say that the human race can be traced back to two parents?
“And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, *that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him.* Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,”
Acts 17:26-27 ESV
Sam Mathai great passage 🙏
“‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ “Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone-an image made by human design and skill. In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.””
Acts 17:28-31 NIV his name is Yeshua/Jesus the Christ the ONLY name which a person can be SAVED praise God.
god can be found and not far from us, sounds like god in some way is comprehensible to me? www.trinityexamined.com/the-father-and-jesus-compared/
And we know for a fact that's impossible! Incest would cause everyone after a couple of generations to die off due to the birth defects from inbreeding!
@@snowrider4495 Why couldn't God have created the first humans with enough genetic information as to where they could birth all the humans that have ever existed?
Knowing who God is, that He is the Creator of the universe, that He is all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-wise, this is not impossible for Him to do.
In 2018, I wrote an unpublished work about primitive monotheism in which I quoted Wilhelm Schmidt's works heavily Wilhelm Schmidt wrote a masterpiece on this issue but his works are mostly underrated and the evolunionists tend to cite briefly in their major works. I have been waiting this kind of video on TH-cam since 2018. Good job.
Hey! I am very interested in this book you speak about. How and when if ever can we read it? Greetings
I second my friend L L’s question
Can I translate this in my language...??? As I am from the polytheistic India it will very useful for combating atheist sceptics here...
Sure, go ahead
@Thuzar Brahman.
Thuzar I am also from India ...Hindu gods (including Brahman) are all present within the framework of space time not outside... so everything in this universe is god...
Please do, and God bless you and your work!
Thuzar The high god for Hindus is their “CASTE” .. They will do whatever to protect their caste... They changed their gods from brahman,Indra,Prajapathi to shiva , vishnu and some low gods like Murugan,Vinayahar,sakthi(wife of shiva) etc...They changed their gods just to save their caste system from the Buddha(who started an ancient revolution against caste system) ... Now Hindus even claim Buddha to be their god as Buddhism today is more caste friendly than it was during the times of Buddha himself...The Hindus will convert to Christianity tomorrow if Christian faith helps to preserve caste system more efficient than Hinduism....
Hello.
I'm from Africa and I'm aware of many of the traditional oral lore...
I'm Bantu, and generally, almost all Bantus are monotheistic. They also do have a belief in ancestral spirits, which may be compatible with the Catholic view of saints watching over us. There is a tradition of honouring the ancestors, but not necessarily worship
Among the Bantus, they believed (Mu)Ngu to be the supreme being.
Ngu means high above, or the sky... and depending on the tongue, a prefix would be added...eg in Swahili Mungu and this would mean, the one who is lifted high, or rather the sky God, of the one in the highest place..
As a result of this many Bantus worship God in the highest mountain they find, others say the God is even higher than the highest mountain...
I am convinced that, at least the Bantus, most of them, were monotheistic by their oral traditions.
There are some Bantus who were strict monotheiss and did not allow witchcraft ie other practices apart from those prescribed...
But, the Bantus were not isolated and did interact with other cultures...this I find this Study on the Australian natives to be just fascinating...
I hope you’ll reach billions of TH-cam followers. Your work is great. I pray to God He blesses your team that you may continue to find the right stuff and the true witnesses of God for you to share with us and keep being strong in your own Christian faith.
Thank you
Let's pray for him together for that to happen 🙏🙏
I am a Khasi, an ancient tribe in North East India. We are monotheistic. Our traditions seem to foreshadow Christ but saying this would be offensive to those who still practice the Khasi religion. But my point is, even my ancient tribe is monotheistic.
It is truly beautiful how your people managed to preserve memories of things like one single God who created the world and the Fall of Man. Specially since your ancestors lived in a sea of polytheism, it is truly a miracle!
@@igorlopes7589 It is. It is God preserving our people for the eventual coming of the Gospel.
Secular "scientists" who impose their materialistic worldview on the evidence - even when it doesn't fit - is the embodiment of Romans 1.
That material reductionism shit. Science is trying to deny all things not material, like the psyche, then there's things like honor, loyalty, virtue, nope out the window I cannot weigh and measure such things. They must not exist.
This is a global left brain totalitarian dictatorship. The Right Brain is being sealed up. The Road to Righteousness, from unconscious action back to conscious actions.
@@FarmersAreCool The irony is that materialism is refuted by your own consciousness. Nothing in the properties of matter gives us any reason to believe that it is capable of producing consciousness if you arange it a certain way. Yet they will call that an "argument from ignorance" or "god-of-the-gaps" argument. Not only is it not an argument from ignorance, as it is based on what we know of the properties of matter and consciousness, but they're committing the falacy of assuming the answer while the verdict is still out: When the data doesn't support materialism, it could not possibly be because materialism is wrong. No, its just because we have insufficient data, and more data will inevitably support materialism. Now that is an argument from ignorance.
@@Hannodb1961 The self. The conscious projection we use to interact with 3d reality. The 7 sins and virtues are a spectrum to keep us within a understandable range of actions which can then have value judgement applied. The ten Commandments a system by which using written script we can verify governments and limit their power within a range. Remove the ten and scriptur and you have a government not limited to any story, that in UNBOUND. That is anarchy. That signifies a transition of empires. And the Air reeks with blood.
@@Hannodb1961 Well said. Would begging the question apply? Serious question.
So westerners, in large, part just mistook multiple names for Creator for polytheism.... I can buy that.
Moreover it would seem that it takes an empire of cultures to *regress* into polytheism.
Regression makes more sense. Heh, theory of evolution (as was pointed out in another comment) is all about the change from simple to complex. And as IP very well presented, it seems to be the case with monotheism to polytheism also.
@@yndsu No this is wrong, Evolution is not Simple to Complex.
@@rodrigorafael.9645 so evolution is not how at the start there were only single celled organisms that then evolved through unguided random mutation until it ended up with complex life like humans?
Because that is how it is usually presented, or at least I understand the presentation, and find thoroughly unconvincing.
If that is not out, then what is it?
Instead of just saying that something is not, why don't you educate me and tell me what it in fact is?
@@yndsu First im not you school teacher, its not my fault you dont know it.
The evolution in common sense does have this sense of growth and accumulation.
but in the academy where science is done, evolution is the same as the theory of natural selection, which consists in the fact that the fittest organisms are selected, survive in the environment, reproduce and pass on their characteristics to their descendants.
It is not accumulative, things that were previously useful but now are not can be lost, such as snake legs.
We now have fossils of prehistoric snakes with vestigial legs.
Just as whales still have the vestigial bones of their old legs.
The same way you and I have Coccix, A vestigial tail at the end of our spine.
Dinosaurs the Birds ancestors have teeth and modern Birds dont.
@@rodrigorafael.9645 OK, so you what is the explanation for the first of their kind?
Like where did the first whale come from? Did it come from a more primitive organism? But you said that this can't be as that would be evolution from simple to complex.
Or the first ape that evolved to all the different species and then human.
Or first feline or canine.
So at best the evolution as you describe it can possibly suggests how we got so many different species, but it says nothing about the actual origin of life.
This is awesome! I’ve been reading a lot of Michael Heiser’s work lately, which has helped me connect a lot of dots. Your documentary has helped me connect somevmore dots. Thank you!
Such high-quality video, and so much research into it! Warm thanks to you, brother!
A wonderful and well-researched end to your trilogy of videos on ancient monotheism. Well done.
Great work IP. I'm a 3rd generation Australian from European descent and have since childhood been fascinated by our Indigenous peoples, their culture, spiritual beliefs and their intriguing knowledge of the stars and constellations. I have undertaken some research in the past on these things, but you've really produced an amazing video with this work on indigenous monotheism.
Great work, as always!
If you look into the origins of ancient Chinese writing, many of the logograms point to Hebrew religious ideas, and the worship of Shangdi points to very early monotheism.
I know this is old but I remember some East Asian symbol meant people in a garden or something for the “west”… idk seems cool
IP's videos can replace ''movie night'' with my friends, except they unfortunately don't watch IP. Also, there is even more evidence for Ancient Monotheism when you look into creation stories trough other cultures, from Chinese to Indian. And let's not forget Ur-Monotheism as well. In any case, well done IP
Production quality is on point! Great stuff, Michael!
The graphics are great in this video and the sound is loud enough to hear. Thanks for all the work you do I'm happy to support you.
While reading Eliade's book on the history of religions, I too uncovered this. It's amazing. Thank you for the documentary, it's very good.
Also, the correct pronounciation is Meer-cha El-ee-ah-deh
amazing content. amazing and thorough CITED SOURCES , we love all of this
[Genesis 11:4 NASB] "[4] They said, "Come, let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower whose top [will reach] into heaven, and let us make for ourselves a name, otherwise we will be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.""
Polytheism and cities. Perhaps we now know specifically why God stopped the building of the city and the tower and scattered the peoples. BTW, from this theory, what would we expect to follow from our modern urban-centered societies and megalopolises? We are too "advanced" for crass idolatry, but idols begin in the heart, mind, and the imagination.
This also seems to fit nicely with Heiser's work. The lesser heavenly beings who were servants of the Most High God became lesser deities in the minds of city dwellers seeking help fulfilling their wicked lusts and eventually replaced the one true God in the people's memory. Wow.
I think you are spot on brother. May God bless you:)
It did occur to me that a natural step from polytheism could be to go looking even further down the totem pole for help until there are just people. But it seems like that is not what actually happened. The philosophy (that birthed the modern atheism movement AFAIK) grew out of the Enlightenment, which succeeded the Reformation, i.e. a monotheistic culture.
*Impeccable!!! Impeccable video IP!*
How do you create such high quality, fully detailed and so much well worked on videos! That so much work in there! So much,,,, it's very very hard!! Giving so much time being consistent and calm headed and giving all efforts is the only way this is possible! Wow! You amaze me, sir! I understand all the work that goes in your video and whether one might notice it or not I just can't look over this,,,, wow! Amazing!
Looking forward to watching this!
*edit:* Finished watching. This was a fascinating video!!
Great video IP fantastic research I'm sharing it with my appologetics group
Thank you, please share!
Well done - very informative with beautiful pictures, as usual
The amount of research needed for this video is admirable. Full respect IP..
I'm late to the party here, but the visual production on this is absolutely fantastic. You deserve more subscribers.
MJ, this is really good stuff. Thank you for all of the work you do for us. It is very appreciated.
Thank you
Inspiring Philosophy, I really want to thank you for the work you do. The videos are creative, thorough, complete, and well done. God bless you and keep on making many more such videos for His glory and for our edification! 😊
An interesting perspective indeed.
Note that Eastern Christianity, with its reference to the Church Fathers and their writings, has the exact view of monotheism devolving into other forms of worship. Totally Biblical and totally logical for believers. Thank you for the research you have done. My children are doubting and rejecting Christianity and demanding proofs on an intellectual level. I'm SO grateful for your work. Glory to God in the highest.
Bro Christianity and Judaism are not really monotheistic! We have Trinity in the beginning GODS made the heavens and the earth [el is singular and elohim is plural]
Glory to GOD
@@AyushgraphyJews are 100% monotheistic, the reason Elohim is in plural is because it is a royal plural, which is common in semitic languages to denote majesty and respect
This is your best video yet!
This deserves much more attention. Great documentary.
Thank you for the sources and taking the time to make this well put video
I see that even the Australian gods had trouble with the emu.
lol
Wonderful analysis!! Thank you.
This video is so good, the amount of research and references in it motivate me to look deeper into it
Very nice movie. Congratulations. Nice research, laying out the evidences, suggesting interpretations and leaving the field open.
IP this is great content. Your bringing apologetics to a new level.
You’re doing the Lord’s work man. Literally! I truly appreciate the dedication and attention to detail you put into these
He has some good content, but he never presents the gospel. If he presented the gospel he could reach hundreds of thousands of viewers each video.
How To Go To Heaven
It is very simple to be saved and takes only a minute to explain. Please let me show you how to get to Heaven from the Bible, God's Word...
Man is a Sinner in the Eyes of a Holy God.
Isaiah 53:6, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”Romans 3:19, “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.”John 3:3, “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”Romans 3:10, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.”Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
There is a Price For Our Sin―Burning in Hell Forever.
Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”Romans 5:12, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.”2nd Thessalonians 1:8, “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”Revelation 20:15, "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”Revelation 21:8, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
Jesus paid that price by dying on the cross and shedding His blood; Christ was buried and bodily rose again the third day!
Romans 5:8, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”1st Timothy 1:15, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.”1st Peter 1:18-19, “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ...”1st Corinthians 15:1-4, “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.” This is the Gospel.
By faith in Jesus Christ ALONE we are immediately saved.Galatians 3:26, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”John 11:25, “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.”John 6:28-29, “Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.”Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”John 6:40, “And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.”Mark 1:15, “And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”Acts 26:18, “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”Romans 10:13, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”1st Corinthians 3:11, "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”Galatians 3:26, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”
Salvation is NOT found in a religion or good works, but in a Person... The LORD JESUS CHRIST!
Simply BELIEVE the Gospel and You Are Saved!
Thanks IP. Great content as usual!
Superb. Thank you for doing the research and making this doc
This was Absolutely Fantastic !!
Clearly you did a tremendous amount of Research !
jessecamping: Well said.
@@gavinhurlimann2910 Hi Gavin Yes it was all That and More !!!
You are very correct about Africa. My Igbo tribe in Eastern Nigeria has Chukwu which means the supreme God. Also, we have numerous similarities with Jewish religious practices and culture.
Interesting, so in my original script I was going to include he Igbo, but then I come across conflicting reports, some anthropologists said it was really hard to define the Igbo religion and it was neither monotheism or polytheism.
@InspiringPhilosophy Yes, it is very difficult to define Igbo religion because of the many gods. But one thing is clear, which I think anthropologists are getting wrong. And that is the very fact that there is a hierarchy of gods in the Igbo Traditional Religions. Among these gods, one is known as CHI-UKWU or CHUKWU. which, by definition and translation, means the supreme and biggest god. This god has no shrine, no artifact, while other gods have shrines and are seen as smaller gods. The CHUKWU is said to be the one invisible and all-powerful creator god. He is also called CHINEKE, which means the "creator God." It is for that reason that 90% of every Igbo tribal name begins with CHI (God) or has CHI in the middle or at the end. All my family's names have CHI in them.
My dad's name is OkwuCHIukwu (the word of God).
Mom's name: NkeCHInyere (what God gave).
My late brother's name: CHIbuike (God
is power/strength).
Elder brother's name: CHInedu (God leads).
My name is CHIdiebube (God is mighty).
My sister's name is CHIdinma (God is good).
Note: My tribe couldn't have had 90% of our names containing CHI if there is no sense of the supreme God. If not, there would have been an identification to the particular god the names are making claims to.
I strongly believe that african anthropologists are more Western than African. Anyone who wants to study the native people needs to study their language and the culture and not just ask questions. Getting the answer to one's question doesn't guarantee grasping the answer within its cultural context. Even African scholars do not speak every dialect, and language in African talks more of understanding the tribal spiritualities. Even within the tribes, there are local religions and spiritualities. But, what I stated about CHI is very universal across the Igbo tribe of Eastern Nigeria.
Also, it is this idea of a one supreme God that made Christianity flourished in Igbo land through the Capuchin and Irish Catholic missionaries. First, in the 15th century and again in the 19th century when the Anglicans came with the British missionaries with the presence of the colonial masters.
So what is the view of the lesser gods? Are they worshiped, or just venerated?
@@InspiringPhilosophy the lesser gods are worshipped too but as servants of Chukwu. That's where the polytheism comes in and makes it different from Judeochristian religion.
I see, seems more towards the polytheistic side on the spectrum, that is why I ultimately didn’t include it. Although it is not polytheism in the strong sense.
Wow ! Big compliments for this research, very interesting and definetely learned me new things. This new evidence definetely deserves more attention in my opinion. What is the music at the end of the video though ? Really beautiful! Great docu!
Nice job Michael. Excellent content as always.
I'm just some minutes into the video and shook. The video is so well researched and is more than what i was looking for. I'm a Muslim and i found some people saying that monotheism does not exist outside Abrahamic faiths and is so just a human invention. I wanted to see for myself so i researched two tribes, "The Kapauku Papuans west Guinea" and 'The Dinka of Africa". I found links to advanced and logical monotheism in both of these tribes but i thought it being just two tribes my evidence wasn't as strong but this video can easily help me in making a sufficient case. Thanku sooo soo much and keep up the work.✨
Link on the sources that you used to research the Dinka and Kapauku.
@@evelynalex8787 I'm so sorry but i haven't saved the links. I should've mentioned them when i commented. You can google them and there are many books on them as well. May peace be upon you ✨
Are you still Muslim?
My mind is still boggled. How did you make such a detailed video. God bless the believers
It is what I do
THANK YOU so much for this excellent balanced and scholarly presentation. Your referencing is awesome. I'll be forwarding your work without embarassment to friends and family. God bless all your good endevours.
I also love all your videos, especially citing the scriptures as you narrate, thank you
It's official IP has the best closing scenes and phrases.
From "Ghost in the machine..."
To this particular verse from Paul.
Beautiful!.
I suspect that the "modern" people of every age assume humanity's ancient ancestors were "simple" -- incapable of formulating the profound thoughts we have in OUR generation (or OUR civilization). However, historical research shows our ancient ancestors were evidently just as intelligent as us. If they could build structures we STILL can't imitate, surely they were just as capable of wondering "The Meaning of Life." Moreover, the idea that a supreme creator made everything has got to be one of the very first ideas that pop into someone's head when pondering "how all this got here." In fact it's weird to think that anyone at any time for any reason could conceptualize the existence of MANY of anything without first conceptualizing ONE. If homo-sapiens has truly been around for 300K years, we've probably been grappling with the question, "How many gods?" for just as long, and the potential answers are pretty obvious: (a) zero, (b) one, or (c) more than one.
People then were as smart as we are today, in terms of being able to process information and use it to their advantage, they must have been wise,nas well since life experiences are wisdom. They might not have had algebra or much mathematical sophistication but these are essentially technologies out of their reach at that time. Knowledge is built upon. Are we primitive and simple people now because we will seem to be in the future?
The reason humanity were as advanced as today is due to the back breaking work of our ancestors
They created from nature, trees rocks minerals phones
So much this.
watching this during my quarantine. Too good.
This is very interesting and unbiased, great work!
The zeitgeist people could learn a thing or two about references from this production.
They cannot reference what there is no source for
good point
@@InspiringPhilosophy THIS TOPIC IS STILL UNKNOWN AMONG THE CHRISTIANS IN THE WEST & EAST... COULD YOU PLEASE INVESTIGATE & PERHAPS MAKE IT VIRAL? 👍👍👍JESUS IN DAO DE JING FOR CHINESE, LAOZI, LAO TSE, TAOISM" Tonton "YESUS DALAM TAO TE CHING UNTUK ORANG CHINA, JESUS IN DAO DE JING FOR CHINESE, LAOZI, LAO TSE, TAOISM" di TH-cam.
PS. I'm sorry, It's in my language, i haven't find information in English, Idk
They could...but they won’t. They’ve exhibited a will to ignore all information rather than amend their claims.
Tony Droid Hindus don’t have law of non-contradiction... so it’s too difficult to do that... but these faiths needs to be addressed...
This is my new favorite video of yours
Thank you for making this video. It was really good.
Thx for what you do.I can feel the athentic passion in your work.
A Finnish scholar of Assyrian culture, Simo Parpola, has theorized that ancient Assyrians had an esoteric monotheist tradition. While the common people practiced polytheism, priests and scholars believed that all deities were manifestations or aspects of Assur, the only real God. This belief, he says, was expressed in a symbol system named the tree of life (compare to Kabbalah and its _sefirot_ system).
If Parpola's theory is correct, either the priests might have developed a more sophisticated interpretation of their polytheistic religion, or they might have merely kept alive an older understanding that had been buried under common exoteric beliefs.
IP is killing it! This is great stuff!!
@Jim: Ditto that Jim!
@Jim: Gotcha Jim. Feel free to shoot me an email or contact me via WhatsApp: gavinhurlimann@gmail.com
You can get me on Skype, Messager & Zoom as well.
God bless :)
@Akon Ali honestly you are so ignorant it is funny, keep on copy and pasting 😂 who told you we worship 3 gods, your mom and dad? Educate yourself idiot
Bro your channel is amazing I love this!
thanks for your work! Keep it up!
A very nice video, not only interesting but also well made. You got a new subscriber
May I ask which program you use for editing and where you get the stock footage from?
Thank you! I use adobe premiere and after effects. I get a lot of stock footage from video blocks and envato
Really good video, i'll express my respect trough a meme:
Aboriginal kid: Mom can we covert to christianity?
Mom: We already have christianity at home.
Christianity at home:
Bruh. So intriguing. Thank you for this video!
Your analysis of our world, (all of your videos), are well thought out, researched, and well presented. Quite amazing actually. I am a firm follower of your channel. The enlightenment and honesty you bring...is spot on. I know we all have bias...(meaning...I know you believe in a Creator/Designer), but I have seen your honesty against any possible bias, many times. Cognitive dissonance is something no one can accuse you of. And that to me...is the true mark, of someone really seeking the truth. Just wanted you to know...there is someone out there...who sees your research for the genius it is, and can truly appreciate it. You are very honest with yourself. I appreciate that.
Great ending with Romans
Thanks
"The Christians got their idea of the fall of man from the aborigines." -Richard Carrier 2020...probably
Is he serious?
@@InspiringPhilosophy No. I made that quote up as something he would say given his statements regarding his Christ mythicism.
Mr Carrier is a malfunctioning unit
Nice
@Sacred Heart Of Christ Ministries This proves the christian god is true, then was it inspired by these religions. It's amazing how you can see the two possibilities yet think the one that supports your religion is more likely.
I'd say this was interesting and is another nail in the coffin that is christianity. Different religions starting up independently that don't share most of there beliefs suggests that religion is hard wired in humans and we make up the details to fit our surroundings.
Excellent presentation!
Thanks! You really got me on a roll!
When studying anthropology in college and doing independent research, I found the Australian Aborigines to be some of the most interesting groups of indigenous peoples to study. This ancient monotheism topic re-sparks my interest in them.
Outstanding work! Amazing job!
Btw
24:04 "Google Play Books" 🤔🤔🤔
Yep? What about google play books?
Shouldn't be the source be the title of the book rather than how the books were source? ;)
Very useful video👏🏻 brother💓
Great work ! Good job IP !
This is exactly the position of Islam, specifically at 35:30.
The "he was upon water" struck me pretty hard. We say that too.
Dude, you muslims claim everything from the past.
@@gaipa2006 well duh, since Islam's scripture, the Quran is directly from Allah (God) it's not shocking that there'd be overlap in other traditions as Allah ﷻ sent prophets to all the people's of the world. In fact, if there's any religion that the view of this video is in line with the most, it's Islam.
@@forgetfulstranger oh my oh my, stop being deceived
@@kofibonsu8466 let him believe in his faith. If faith make him better.
@@ordhinv.hohenheim5009 "better" is defined differently in each religion, so your imposed belief has no legitimate meaning.
Dude this is so good. I'm Australian and have had some interesting chats with Aboriginal Christian friends after reading Heiser. Well done!
Love your videos!
Thank you for this research bro
I’m reminded of what Tolkien once said about the various mythologies around the world being echoes of the one “myth” we know to be true, that of Christ. It’s an interesting concept to think about.
These adds to the belief that all humans today originated from a family of monotheist, the family of noah.
And from one point, the tower of babel event scattered all people.
Nearly all world relegion have a father god figure, in thier belife...could it be mankind were calling on the name, father god the creator of heaven and Earth, befor Nimrod came along..after all, nearly all the gods in pagan relegion have a father..
@Akon Ali Al lah the stone idol can speak...where did u get that from...
Very great job. God bless you and your ministry.
Brilliant work!
The Juggernaut strikes again!
What?
No idea who did this documentary but very good job I've spent 40 years doing this. So I'm very impressed you're very correct. Islam has been around since Adam(as)
Shaytaan gets people to worship the prophets as time goes on.
G-d never left any nation alone 124,000 prophets(may peace and blessings be on all of them)
Awesome work brother,, God bless you
Your work is simply amazing.
Personally, I would have titled this video "The Case for _Prehistoric_ Monotheism."
Good thinking, because Christianity and Judaism are also ancient, and also Islam to a certain extent. But the idea is that these many other unknown or poorly known examples around the world are not only independent of those three vastly more famous examples, but also predate them. Indeed, the Bible itself says as much, with their being a bunch of generations of patriarchs, some of whom worshipped the one biblical God, both before and after the Flood, well before the Hebrews; and with the Hebrews themselves having devolved into paganism for awhile, including Terah, Abraham's own father.
I feel as though there are some ideas which are too close to genesis to be mere coincidence, such as the spirit of God hovering over the waters.
Perhaps but that is why skeptics proposed missionary influence, which was total speculation
@@InspiringPhilosophy Speaking of skeptics, I once got into an argument with a Jesus mythicist (he claimed not to be a mythicist but his arguments said otherwise) who argued that of Jesus was inspired from Hercules. Not joking, he honest to God was convinced that Hercules and Jesus were similar. 🤦🏾♂️
He kept pointing out 3 vague similarities, (that I easily debunked with facts and evidence) kept using recycled fallacies (no contemporary evidence for Jesus etc.) and even thought that the Eucharist had pagan origins. Again I debunked his claims with facts and evidence but the guy wouldn’t budge, kept saying “it wasn’t written in the Old Testament, Jesus could have copied that from pagan cults” yet he never provided any evidence to back these claims up and kept using words like “could have” or “probably” or “this may have been inspired” and so on.
I’ll admit that I got angry and lost my patience with him, but in my defense his argument was incredibly stupid. At the end of the debate the guy accused me of mixing my theological beliefs with scholarly fact (I tried to be as objective and impartial as possible) and then told me I wasn’t qualified for these arguments and that I should stay out of scholarly debates. While I admit that I don’t have the best debate skills, the guy was just being a stubborn idiot who refused to see reason. I debunked all his arguments but he kept trying to dismiss my refutations and accuse me of straw manning. Just goes to show it’s very difficult to take Jesus mythicists seriously.
I know this was off topic but It was on my mind and I just needed to vent.
The name of this is confirmation bias.
I just eat these videos up. I’m so enthralled by ancient religions and their similarities and differences.
You concluded this with the perfect verse that, in a sense, can account for any form of ancient worship we may find