R.P. BenDedek
R.P. BenDedek
Shifting Historical Perspectives?
If the West Bank isn't Jewish what was Jesus doing being born there? - - Take the PC claim that Israel first belonged to the Palestinians (that is to say the Philistines). Such a claim is contrary to known history, but as is demonstrated in all totalitarian states, history is whatever the dictators say it is. The Philistines did not 'settle' in Palestine until sometime after the reign of Rehoboam, son of Solomon. Prior to that time and for many centuries previously, they were mercenaries of the Egyptians. The Philistines hail from the Aegean Islands, and consisted of many different groups, and it is thought that they got their name from the group called the 'Peleset'.
May 23, 2013 - 12:40:58 AM
R.P. BenDedek
The Myth of Violence: The Fallen State of Humankind
Quite unlike any previous era in history, we of the 21st Century have been and are being manipulated to believe a whole host of competing political agendas. One of those agendas is that 'MEN' are violent (as in women are not), and the other is its companion; 'all men are pedophiles' (which is a strange bedfellow for the gay rights activists).
May 19, 2013 - 12:17:55 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Hazael of Damascus and Jehu of Israel
Bright (1981, p.254) places Hazael on the throne of Syria c. 842 BCE - 806 BCE. An important to point note with reference to ancient Assyrian documents however, is that a particular king being mentioned by name does not legitimise the reference. [Refer to Miller & Hayes 1963, p.332 and the discussion on erroneous identification of Tubail of Tyre, in records of tribute to Tiglath-Pileser III.] As you read the historical pronouncements of times, dates and places, you should pay attention to how often the academics will quote from the Bible to corroborate their historical reconstructions. But can you rely on their Bible references? Furthermore, can they rely on their 'non-Biblical' references? If you add the Biblical Data from the Destruction of Solomon's Temple (586 BCE) to it's commencement during the 4th of Solomon's 40 years, 429 years transpire, meaning that the Temple was commenced in 1015 BCE. This is not acceptable to historians. It means that the Exodus occurred in either 1495 BCE or 1535 BCE, both of which are unacceptable dates.
May 19, 2013 - 12:10:08 AM
R.P. BenDedek
The Prophet Elijah; King Ahab and his sons.
As much as many fundamentalists believe that there can be no physical error in the Bible, the fact is that there are a number. Sometimes what appears to be an error is not, but sometimes the errors are real. Sometimes those errors are transcription errors and sometimes the errors arise because the redactors in the 5th to 3rd Century BCE were dealing with documents that they did not fully understand.
May 15, 2013 - 7:43:59 PM
R.P. BenDedek
When Did King Jotham of Judah Commence to Reign?
Every time you see or hear an historian or archaeologist quote chronological material from the Bible, they are 'pulling your chain'. They manipulate your trust in the Bible and direct it toward 'themselves'. You see, THEY not only cannot fit the Biblical chronological data into known history, but as it is currently perceived, it does not in fact, fit into known history. The true history of the Jews was concealed in an artificial calendar, which transformed twelve real years into thirteen artificial years, and thereby lengthened history.
May 12, 2013 - 12:15:58 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Manasseh King of Judah - Son of Hezekiah
Manasseh the boy king, came to the throne of Judah during the last days of the reign of Sennacherib king of Assyria. Although he may have demonstrated poor political judgment during the reigns of Esarhaddon and Ashurbanipal, the shifting fortunes of Assyria from around 665 BCE, and particularly from 655 BCE, guaranteed that the last twenty or thirty years of his reign remained relatively undisturbed. 2 Chronicles Chapter 33:11 tells us that because of his sins, the king of Assyria took Manasseh with hooks, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. [There is debate over where he was or should have been taken - Ninevah or Babylon].
May 10, 2013 - 6:15:21 AM
R.P. BenDedek
How Historians Deceive Us and Manipulate Biblical Chronology.
The purpose of this excerpt is to challenge many false academic assumptions which have been accepted by the general community as academic fact. In short, it strives to demonstrate where the Academics got it wrong! We sometimes tend to think that our knowledge of history is based on irrefutable evidence, but our knowledge is based in a collection of rags and tatters. Some historians and archaeologists would rather provide us a factually incorrect history, than one which might cause us to give credence to anything recorded in the Bible.
May 8, 2013 - 1:30:36 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Palestinian Misery vs. Israeli Happiness and success
I likewise feel sorry for all those Hamas folk who have been arrested and/or hurt by Egyptian forces while the Egyptians were destroying their tunnels under the closed Egypt/Gaza border, and I certainly do feel sorry for those who volunteer to be human shields so that when Israel retaliates for some rocket strike they will be killed. I of course am no expert on these matters, but I would like to hazard a guess that behind Israeli happiness lies a subconscious if not actually conscious realization, that their country's mere existence, defying logic as it does, demonstrates that ultimate control over their lives has nothing to do with their government, with the United States, the European Union, the Arab World or the Palestinians. Ultimately, their existence is living proof that HE who scattered them across the face of the earth 2000 years ago has in fact called them home.
May 5, 2013 - 12:15:14 AM
R.P. BenDedek
King Ahab of Israel / Samaria
This date for Ahab's death is problematical, for currently held opinions which claim legitimacy by relying on one piece of archaeological evidence, place Ahab at the Battle of Qarqar in 853 BCE. This however is a fallacious claim which flies in the face of two other pieces of non-biblical archaeological evidence.
May 5, 2013 - 12:07:09 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Assyrian, Babylonian and Israelite History 8th Century
Tiglath-Pileser's 734-732 BCE campaign did result in the destruction of Damascus, the death of Rezin, and a dynastic change in Israel, yet the 'Kings Calendar' chronological synchronisms preclude Ahaz from being the Judean King who appealed to Tiglath-Pileser. Relying solely upon the 'chronological data', the 'King's Calendar' is able to offer a reconstruction of the various historical stories. It requires however, that the 'Holy Bible' undergo some 'alteration'.
May 3, 2013 - 6:33:29 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Radical Islam Vs. Democratic Rights
People who truly don't believe in God but choose to put their faith in Evolution, can not do other than observe from nature, that every tribe, clan, nation, and species does what it can to protect its own peculiar identity. The doctrine of PC however, is the complete opposite to what is natural in the observed universe. PC doctrine DEMANDS that we give up our tribal identity and embrace that which is traditionally anathema to us. True Christians, Muslims and other religiously observant people however, usually do not do such a stupid thing.
May 2, 2013 - 6:33:21 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Bible Confusion 734 - 722 BCE
Part of academic confusion over this particular period of Israelite history, results directly from their reliance upon the biblical narratives which clearly state that it was King Ahaz of Judah who appealed to Tiglath-Pileser III of Assyria, for assistance during the Syro-Ephraimitic War against Rezin of Damascus, and Pekah of Israel. That confusion is further compounded by reference to tribute paid by 'Jehoahaz' to Tiglath-Pileser III, and by the lack of any other Assyrian records for Israel and Judah at this time. Since we have no record of a King 'Jehoahaz' in Scripture, it is only an assumption that this is the full name of 'Ahaz'. In fact, it could easily have been the real name of King Jotham. There are Four (4) Biblical Narrative Discrepancies or Contradictions which make it plain that the redactors ascribed to Ahaz, events which involved Jotham.
May 2, 2013 - 6:25:19 AM
R.P. BenDedek
The Ark of the Covenant at Kiriath Jearim?
What I suggest, is either that the 7 months of 1 Samuel 6:2 was originally "70 years", and/or that the 20 years listed in 1 Samuel 7:2, is an insertion based on an attempt to chronologise the period from Samuel to David's 7th year, and should read 70 years.
May 1, 2013 - 3:00:05 AM
R.P. BenDedek
When was King Solomon's Temple built?
Given our great scientific and technological expertise to go with all the archaeological evidence at our disposal, you would think that this would be an easy question to answer. Wouldn't You? After all, every time you have read a book or done an internet search on the subject, the answer has been made plain for you to read. But in fact, even the year of the Destruction of Solomon's Temple is not yet positively known. Some even suggest that what the Bible says about Kings David and Solomon is False. Despite such politically motivated claims however, Solomon's Temple did exist.
Apr 28, 2013 - 5:02:35 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Is the Bible God Inspired or Just the History of Israel?
'Are the ancient documents in the Bible reliable?' - There is a whole section of the Christian community that just about 'worships' the Bible like an idol, insisting that each and every word as it now appears in English, was virtually 'G-d dictated'. Academics on the other hand are not interested in anything that might give credence to anything that the Bible might say.
Apr 26, 2013 - 5:24:01 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Did Ehud Judge Israel for 80 years?
If the period of the Judges was 554 - 574 years then clearly, something is wrong with the reference in 1 Kings 6:1 to a period of 440 or 480 years. The first thing to note is that the Accepted version of 1 Kings 6:1 and the Septuagint, contain different language and a different figure.
Apr 24, 2013 - 8:23:32 PM
R.P. BenDedek
The Fallacy in Gun Control: Boston Bombing
But what we do have here, is a situation in which, for whatever reason, these two boys decided to kill and maim a lot of people. They did not use guns. They built homemade bombs. And therein lies the fallacy that removing guns will remove the violence. People intent on violence, will find a way with or without guns. Perhaps if these boys had had guns, they might have gone on a rampage at school and killed fellow students and there would have been no armed personnel at school to stop them. Perhaps they may have started shooting people in the street. In the end what they did do was to potentially kill hundreds of people.
Apr 21, 2013 - 12:25:13 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Tonto's Indian Wisdom and Academic BS
Sometimes it takes a joke to make us see the truth in life. For the Academic point of this joke, we can see that politically correct propaganda can backfire.
Apr 14, 2013 - 12:07:00 AM
R.P. BenDedek
North Koreans Are Superior To Us All.
But what is the difference between 'racial superiority' and 'physical superiority'. If you know that the child you carry is deformed, will you keep it. If you are raped, and fall pregnant, will you keep it? What is the difference between killing it before or after it is born?
Apr 7, 2013 - 6:12:00 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Photograph of the Week: Where are our Human Rights?
Apr 7, 2013 - 12:02:56 AM
R.P. BenDedek
How Long Did Joshua Lead the Israelites
Although I have covered the issue of how long Joshua was Judge of Israel in other articles, today I thought that I might touch the subject again, and to make it easy to find, give it the 'How Long' title that many students use in their google searches. The biggest problem in relation to Israel's Period of the judges, is that the Chronological Data provided in the Book of Judges is excessive within the overall chronological claims of the Bible.
Apr 5, 2013 - 12:27:30 PM
R.P. BenDedek
Photograph of the Week: Australian Road Trains Tennant Creek
Mar 10, 2013 - 12:02:35 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Proverbs 22 and A Brief note on American Right to Bear Arms
The issue of whether or not Americans can or should carry firearms is not the business of people from other countries, however one thing that should not happen in the U.S. is that people should allow themselves to be deceived by 'activist agendas'.
Feb 24, 2013 - 12:15:47 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Christianity Dying in Its Birthplace
"Is Christian life liable to be reduced to empty church buildings and a congregation-less hierarchy with no flock in the birthplace of Christianity?" So asks Daphne Tsimhoni in the Middle East Quarterly. It is hard to see what will prevent that ghost-like future from coming into existence.
Feb 17, 2013 - 12:15:00 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Time for Reflection
So the question remains. Who do we think we are and what do we think our destiny is?
Feb 3, 2013 - 1:10:32 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Photo of the Week: Lake Wakatipu Queenstown New Zealand
Feb 3, 2013 - 12:02:33 AM
R.P. BenDedek
'Thanks' to My Ancient History Teacher at Kedron S.H.S.
I was so engrossed in reading about the Egyptian Empire that I hadn't even noticed by the volume of her voice, that she was getting closer and closer. It was not until she was standing right over me, that I realized she was there -- and it was just too late to do anything. Mrs. FitzGerald never missed a beat. She continued her narrative on the Roman Empire as she turned slightly and bent down a little to see exactly what I was reading, and as she stood up she just smiled at me, and continued on her way.
Jan 20, 2013 - 12:17:30 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Photo of the Week: The Christmas Christ is Born
Christmas time is a special time, a time to remember the Birth and therefore of necessity, the Death and Resurrection of Christ. For that reason each year around Christmas time we have published pertinent articles that hopefully help people to take their minds off the crass commericalism of Christmas.
Dec 24, 2012 - 8:15:38 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Jewish Trees must be destroyed
Palestinian Authority Arabs and Women in Green have been involved in a long-term battle over whether the land can remain in Jewish hands or be taken over by Arabs. Katsover and Matar point their fingers at outgoing Defense Minister Ehud Barak for the latest uprooting orders.
Dec 18, 2012 - 8:10:10 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Photograph of the Week: Chanukah Menora
Dec 9, 2012 - 12:02:12 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Tears of Hypocrisy for Gaza: Israel isn't a Christian Nation!
In recent weeks I haven't seen any photos of the destruction in Israel caused by all the Terrorist rockets - but I did see a crater and destruction that the Israelis caused in Gaza. I haven't seen any photos over recent weeks of the injured in Israel - but I did see photos of the injured in Gaza today. I haven't read in the last few weeks that Israel had cut off the water and electricity to Gaza, but I did read that it was unconscionable for Israel to strike at poor defenseless Gaza.
Nov 15, 2012 - 5:30:46 AM
R.P. BenDedek
The Tale of the City Blacksmith
One day at the regular city council meeting, it was decided that the blacksmith's presence in the city centre was no longer appropriate in such a prosperous place and so a letter was sent to him advising that he had 30 days to move his business. He was allowed to appeal the decision of course, but it didn't do him any good. "Who will pay the cost of my moving?" he asked, "And what about the loss of income during the transition?" "This is not our responsibility!" replied the council members. "We are acting in the best interest of the whole population." And so it was that on a certain day at a certain time, he closed his business and moved to a far corner on the edge of the city.
Nov 4, 2012 - 3:43:15 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Photo of the Week: Tourist Attractions in Wuxi City Jiangsu Province China
Oct 28, 2012 - 12:02:26 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Photo of the Week: Stage Performances at Tiger Hill Suzhou City
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| Photo by Chen Yufei |
Oct 21, 2012 - 12:02:01 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Photo of the Week: Foreigners in Suzhou China
Oct 14, 2012 - 12:02:24 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Trip Around West Lake (Xi Hu) in Hangzhou 2012
We actually walked to the lake from the Ibis Hotel and we entered by the Golden Buffalo, the photo for which and text of the signs can be found in 'the companion file'. A hop skip and a jump from there we began our circumnavigation of the Lake. Not far from the Golden Buffalo is another sign entitled "Displaying Horsemanship and Archery at the Pavilion Bend" and from memory, it was in the area of a big concrete map built into the footpath. The map was very neatly done.
Aug 12, 2012 - 7:13:31 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Gay Rights or Freedom of Opinion: The Chick-Fil-A Saga
Politically Correct activists fight many different causes but their bottom line strategy is to demonstrate that their opponents are "GUILTY" - guilty of anything and everything one can quickly think of so as to disempower those same opponents. Reaction formation generally speaking is accusing others of those things of which you yourself are guilty BUT which you find inexcusable within yourself. It’s rather like being a Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. One part of the character lives in the righteous, non discriminatory respectable world of PC but underneath there is a guilty secret that one doesn't want to let escape. It would ruin their image. And so they point the fingers of hatred at those guilty of the same thing - because in fact they "loath themselves".
Aug 8, 2012 - 8:13:50 AM
R.P. BenDedek
The Clowns in Xitang town Zhejiang Province
The three of us shared 2 beds in a room not big enough to swing a Panda, but we did have screens on the window to keep out the mosquitoes, a TV, air conditioning, and a shared shower and toilet down the hall. And it only cost 180rmb per night for the room compared with 600rmb+ for local hotels. As we live and work in China and get paid in Chinese money, we couldn't afford those pricey tourist hotels.
Aug 5, 2012 - 12:10:09 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Photo of the Week: The Lotus Position
Aug 5, 2012 - 12:02:37 AM
R.P. BenDedek
The Idiots at Microsoft
The Idiots at Microsoft is the kindest title I can give this little article, for they are indeed so bloody smart that they are completely useless idiots. Of course there are those who would warn about writing such an offensive article because perhaps the Microsoft people 'might do something to me'. Well - what does that say about the Microsoft people and what does it say of what we have become when we not only allow idiots to control us but are too frightened to object.
Jul 25, 2012 - 12:07:23 AM
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