Tag Archives: Baptism

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas: Epiphany

By David Larsen | Published: January 6, 2011
I think some of us Western “low church” Christians (speaking for myself, at least) have always wondered what the “twelve days” of Christmas were all about. I admit that I used to think it must be referring to the twelve days leading up to Christmas. Well, lo, and behold, it is actually the twelve days [...]
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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 [...]
Posted in Apocalypticism/Mysticism, Doctrinal Issues, Heavenly Ascents, Pseudepigrapha/Apocrypha | Also tagged , , , , | Comments closed

Temple Studies Symposium III: Archimandrite Ephrem

By David Larsen | Published: November 4, 2009
The Holy Oil in the Orthodox Church Although Prof. John Hall’s presentation was next after Dr. Barker’s, I am still working on the notes for his talk, so I will now post my notes from the esteemed Archimandrite Ephrem’s presentation covering the use of the anointing oil in the Orthodox Church, or, as he termed [...]
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The Antiquity of Baptism

By David Larsen | Published: July 5, 2008
Due to some of the lively discussion and questions that were generated from Baptism or Temple Initiation, I decided to post the following from an email I received from Bryce Haymond who is responsible for the wonderful www.templestudy.com. Bryce–ever the relentless researcher–came up with some great information regarding the antiquity of the ordinance of baptism. This is important to [...]
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Baptism or Temple Initiation? Part III

By David Larsen | Published: July 3, 2008
 Another Word on Resurrection A great insight that Barker gives us that I did not include in my last post has to do with both the resurrection and the priesthood. In my last post, I cited a portion of the Gospel of Phillip: The Tree of Life is in the midst of Paradise, and from [...]
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Baptism or Temple Initiation? Part II

By David Larsen | Published: July 2, 2008
The Ancient Temple Initiation of the High Priesthood As I stated in my last post, Margaret Barker shows some interesting similarities between Christian baptism and the initiatory rites of the ancient royal high priesthood which generally took place at the temple. While she makes some good points, I think some caution is required. Barker herself states that [...]
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Baptism or Temple Initiation?

By David Larsen | Published: June 29, 2008
Insights from Margaret Barker’s Temple Themes in Christian Worship: Part IV  In this post I will be looking at Chapter 5 of Temple Themes, entitled “Baptism and Resurrection.” In this chapter, Barker gives evidence that shows how Christian baptism was not simply an imitation of contemporary Jewish conversion rites, but had its roots in the much [...]
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