Category Archives: Heavenly Ascents

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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This Week: Codex Vaticanus and “Performative Deification”

By David Larsen | Published: March 12, 2010
I have had another very busy week working on my dissertation and following the courses I’m attending.  So, unfortunately, I have not had time to do any research on this week’s OT lesson, “How Can I Do This Great Wickedness” from Genesis 34; 37-39.  And that is unfortunate, because I really love the story of [...]
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In God’s Image and Likeness: Part 5, The Intriguing Conclusion to My Interview with Author Jeffrey M. Bradshaw

By David Larsen | Published: January 13, 2010
This is the conclusion (you can judge whether its intriguing or not) to my question and answer session with Dr. Jeffrey M. Bradshaw, author of the recently published In God’s Image and Likeness: Ancient and Modern Perspectives on the Book of Moses. As those who are LDS are studying the Old Testament this year in [...]
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The Incomparable Power of God’s Salvation: Musings on Psalm 18

By David Larsen | Published: January 5, 2010
I wanted to share some comments on Psalm 18. I have been studying the psalms lately and have been especially impressed by their rich theological content.  I have been most specifically looking at the so-called “Royal Psalms”, which scholars have designated as such because of their association with Israelite kingship. Psalm 18 is one of [...]
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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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