Category Archives: Apocalypticism/Mysticism

Answers to Questions Regarding Heavenly Ascent in Early Jewish and Early Christian Literature

By David Larsen | Published: May 11, 2010
This post comprises some very interesting questions posed to me by a new reader of this blog, Steve Bastasch, regarding the development of the “heavenly ascent” theme in early Christian thought and writings and their Jewish background. My answer to these questions follows. ————————————————————————— Steve: I’m new to your Heavenly Ascents blog – it looks [...]
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The Pope Cites Old Testament Pseudepigrapha

By David Larsen | Published: April 6, 2010
VIA JIM DAVILA’S PALEOJUDAICA: PSEUDEPIGRAPHA WATCH: The Pope cites a couple of Old Testament Pseudepigrapha in his Easter Vigil homily. First, from the Life of Adam and Eve: Dear Brothers and Sisters, An ancient Jewish legend from the apocryphal book “The life of Adam and Eve” recounts that, in his final illness, Adam sent his son Seth [...]
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Melchizedek: King, Priest, and God and the Forbidden Degrees

By David Larsen | Published: February 1, 2010
The title of this post is actually somewhat deceptive as it implies that the post is going to be about Melchizedek, who can be considered a king, a priest, and also a god, and about the “Forbidden Degrees” (sounds tantalizing, eh?), which the title seems to suggest have some connection to Melchizedek. Well, as far [...]
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Son of God and King: Adam, Enoch, Moses (Comments on Old Testament Lesson 5)

By David Larsen | Published: January 28, 2010
The following are some notes that I made this week in association with my study of this Sunday’s Gospel Doctrine (Old Testament) Lesson 5. The lesson covers Moses 5-7 and is titled: “If Thou Doest Well, Thou Shalt Be Accepted” This title has to do with the Book of Moses narrative regarding Cain and Abel [...]
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In God’s Image and Likeness: An Interview with Author Jeffrey M. Bradshaw, Part III

By David Larsen | Published: December 29, 2009
This is the third installment of a multi-part interview between myself and Dr. Jeffrey M. Bradshaw, author of the recently released In God’s Image and Likeness: Ancient and Modern Perspectives on the Book of Moses. For previous posts in this series, see Part I here and Part II here. Please see the official website for [...]
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Christmas Reading

By David Larsen | Published: December 23, 2009
I must start this post by saying that although I would have liked to, I don’t have any wonderful Christmas message to share.  I have been quite busy lately — but I still feel that Christmas spirit. It has been snowing here in St Andrews, and the snow has stayed (which I hear is rather [...]
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SBL Notes 2009: April DeConick — Early Jewish and Christian Mysticism

By David Larsen | Published: December 11, 2009
My notes on: Early Jewish and Christian Mysticism – Sunday 4pm April De Conick Star Gates: What Were the Gnostics Doing? The Peratics (perasai, Greek for “Transcendentalists”) say: We alone have known that genesis is necessary and (we alone have known) have know the roads by which humans have entered into the cosmos. We have [...]
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In God’s Image and Likeness: An Interview with author Jeffrey M. Bradshaw

By David Larsen | Published: December 8, 2009
In God’s Image and Likeness: Ancient and Modern Perspectives on the Book of Moses is a newly published work by Senior Research Scientist and LDS author Jeffrey M. Bradshaw, PhD.  I have, in the past couple of years, come to know Dr. Bradshaw and his excellent work in religious studies, and am very excited about [...]
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