REVIEW: ‘Book of Eli’ Delivers God, Guns, and Guts
by John Nolte“One day I heard this voice, like it was coming from inside me. It led me to a place… I found this book, buried deep in the rubble… And the voice told me to carry it west…”
Credit where credit is due… Hollywood is trying. Granted, six years have passed since “The Passion” proved we Christians can be convinced to return to a medium that has spent decades taking great pleasure in insulting who we are and what we believe; and with that clinical Christmas card of a follow up called “The Nativity” it seemed as though they would never figure it out. But between the unapologetic Christian “Blind Side” and now the down and dirty “Book of Eli,” there’s reason to hope the Pagans of the Pacific might have just moved a little closer to cracking our code.
“The Book of Eli” isn’t just Christian, it’s off-the-rails Christian … literally. Heathens might as well hit the lobby at the end of the second act because the final act is all about the faith. You’re more than welcome to stick around, but I have a feeling those of you with red strings tied ‘round your wrist will be checking your watch for the last twenty-minutes. Not we Bible-thumpers, though. That’s when it all comes together; and it’s moving and smart and best of all, not some hyper-reverent snoozer.
So, thanks Hollywood. Oh, I’ll be kicking your ass again in a sec, but for now… really, thanks.
The book is the King James Bible, it’s the last one, and its protector is Denzel Washington’s Eli, a man old enough to remember life during The Before, before the last war some thirty years ago. Ever since, through a post-apocalyptic America, he has made his way west, walking alone and honing his survival skills. Gangs of marauders with robbery on their mind are no safer than the few stray animals unfortunate enough to cross Eli when he needs a meal.
Eli doesn’t understand the how or why of his mission. He just knows what God has called him to do, and in a touching act of faith has spent three decades of suffering and sacrifice to fulfill and complete something he instinctively understands is more important than himself — three decades of trudging through a desolate, colorless desert landscape where water is more precious than gold and cannibals are a constant threat. Like the book he carries, Eli is part Old Testament and New: Part Job, part St. Paul.
Carnegie (Gary Oldman) is a character right out of those great Westerns where one ruthlessly ambitious man runs a dusty old town and orders about a gang of gunslingers who cater to his every whim. Carnegie’s primary whim, however, is something he has in common with Eli: an instinct. Only the voice he hears comes from a darker place and tells him that he can fulfill a mission to widen the hold on what’s left of the world by using the Word of God as a weapon to “run the hearts and minds of the weak and desperate.” Think of him as a community organizer – the Jeremiah Wright of The After.
Carnegie runs a blown-out saloon complete with prostitutes and a bar. But his real hold on power is due to a secret water supply. Paying off his henchmen with H2O and girls, he sends them out to murder and rob innocents in the hope of finding the Good Book.
Carnegie also runs Claudia (the ageless Jennifer Beal) and her daughter Solara (the absurdly fetching Milas Kunis). As is expected, the dynamics Carnegie has become accustomed to, relationship and otherwise, will be turned on their head when Eli strolls into town. Oh, Eli’s not looking for trouble…
Like most of you, many years ago I decided that after the apocalypse it will be The Mighty Gary Oldman I’ll choose as arch-nemesis to my Road Warrior (or Tina Turner). Oldman has a high-old time here, and what a credit to this great actor that he can perfectly inhabit the buttoned-down Commissioner Gordon one day and leave no scenery left un-chewed as Carnegie the next. Every line of dialogue, facial expression and movement is delivered for maximum impact. Oldman understands this genre, what it takes to be its villain, and succeeds in finding a place of his own.
And oh how I loves me some Denzel.
After exploding on the scene with their still-just-as-powerful 1993 directorial debut “Menace II Society,” the Hughes Brothers (Albert and Allen, who have yet to make a bad film — this is their 5th) understand the iconic power of their star; the way he walks, talks, laughs, stands, and holds a weapon. In lesser hands the stoic Eli would barely register as a character. The power of an actor like Washington is in his unique and near-extinct movie star ability to fill the void of a character’s silence with an emotional inner-life without saying a word – with pure presence.
The directorial touches are everywhere. Listen for a fitting nod to “Once Upon a Time in America” and check out the posters on walls. The directors get the big things right, as well. Thank the Good Lord, no shaky-cam. The actions set-pieces are extremely satisfying, especially an early one we see only in silhouette.
But make no mistake, this is a genre film. A B-film (with kind of a silly final twist). No molds are broken. You’ve seen it all a hundred times before. But this is a Christian genre film … a very Christian genre film with a fabulous cast and stylish direction. And I’m still thinking about it, still debating which choice of the Brothers Hughes I liked most…
….the all-kinds-of-awesome casting decision to put Tom Waits in a post-apocalyptic Western, or the film’s most Christian moment – most generous moment – when a nod of respect is granted to our friends who have found God through other faiths.
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799 Comments
Okay, I am officially looking forward to this now. Great review John.
Sounds awesome. I'm looking for a movie to go see with my fiance and this seems like a good choice.
Saw it at midnight.
If you like Denzel go see it.
If you like the Bible go see it.
If you hate Avatar go see it twice.
I am looking forward to seeing this too!
I don't believe that Hollywood is "trying" at all to crack the code of Christains, as Nolte put it. I think Christians will always be quaint people to the Hollywood players, and treated largely as the native Americans were and are in film once they percieve us as endangered, and no longer any sort of relevant "threat".
Still, it's always refreshing to see something that isn't demeaning or disrespectful to the Faith. I guess they don't mind getting our money once or twice a year.
[...] Read the Full Article @Big Hollywood [...]
Great review…I saw it last night in a full house theatre…great reactions from the audience and applause at the end! Check my review as I ask why Hollywood critics seem so afraid of the Bible??
http://www.reelfans.com/articles.cfm?story=878
As an Athiest I am going to go and see this one. You don't need to be a bible thumper to enjoy a good movie that shows how power percieved is power achieved. Regardless of the object, if it holds sway over people someone else will always want to use it for thier own purposes. It takes a paragon to resist the urge to bend to the wills of others and not be a simple follower for a higher cause.
About the only time one will see Christianity treated with kind compassion is when "people of color" are depicted in TV and film as using it to "rise above" things. They sing hymns and spirituals, and quote Biblical passages in friendly arguments with each other, and it's all very non-threatening. I picture white liberals nodding to themselves and saying things like, "I wish all Christians were like that", or "(minorities) are so wise". If whites are depicted as Christians (remember the 'liberal tell'!), they're 1) bigots, 2) about to commit adultery or murder, 3) oppressing somebody, or 4) any combination of those things. Just thinkin' aloud….
Another action movie that doesn't use a shaky-cam? Is this the start of a new trend in Hollywood movies? Please, let it be so.
Two examples (both Stephen King story treatments, and really awful ones):
Children of The Corn: Christians are weird, threatening and almost exclusively white people who have perverted the Bible's teachings. Distrustful of outsiders, they commit horrific acts in the name of their religion.
The Stand: Christianity is a gentle faith practiced by wise and meek people of color who derive comfort and strength from their Faith against oppression and Jamie Sheridan in a denim outfit.
[...] See the full article from “Big Hollywood (blog)” [...]
And another thing I am surprised Mr. Nolte left out:
Gary Oldman is a pretty big Conservative Tory!!
Let me guess, Washington is a good guy, the evil people are all White. Got it.
Perhaps Hollywood learned a lesson from "The Passion": Christians have money! They'll spend it on a good Christian movie!
Curious…Since this movie is technically sci fi since it speculates about the future, and obviously because it is both about the Bible and also about Armageddon… how does this story fit within, or complement, the Bible's prophesied future with respect to "End Times"?
Or to put that notion in another way… perhaps we can expect to see more of Eli in Eli 2: End Times, and Eli 3: The Rapture…???
Not sure he's a conservative (one thing's for sure, he doesn't appear to be a knee-jerk liberal) – rumors started circulating he was conservative following a feud with Rod Lurie related to "The Contender". Oldman gave an interview denying the claim:
"This feud, this thing that has bubbled up, has become this sandstorm. I don't even know if it's interesting. It is odd that the word "conservative" has become the sort of politically-correct bad word to call someone. We've even had people call here and say "I didn't know Gary was a conservative," like they were saying I was a Communist. It's been really strange. I have never, politically or publically, claimed affiliation with any party. So this is just a story that got out there, maybe based on a few comments I made in the Premiere piece. And these things just have a way of spinning out of control. "
http://thehollywoodinterview.blogspot.com/2008/02...
"It takes a paragon to resist the urge to bend to the wills of others and not be a simple follower for a higher cause"… while your ego does indeed precede itself, your last remark said it all, "higher cause", what does that mean to you?Something wrong with being a "simple follower for a higher cause"? Perhaps you just don't know what life's all about…….Just sayin'
… Hanzo(Bible-thumper)
this strikes me as accurate observations. surely it cuts to some of the core tensions within the Democratic party's "big tent". e.g. Liberals can't really count on the black vote when gay rights is the issue!
Maybe you should just view the movie first
…. Hanzo
No, they don't, and I don't mind actually going to see a movie that I'm looking forward to, even if it's only once or twice a year. Better than not at all, as in some years past….
Great review John. God, Guns, and Guts. Looking forward to it. Especially since Gary Oldman is here doin' his thing. One of the absolute best actors on the planet. Bar none.
To those who may be interested, his 1997 film, 'Nil by Mouth' (written/directed/produced) while not easy to watch is well worth the ride. Highly recommend:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nil_by_Mouth_(film)
I would have been happier if the movie was longer. The ending kinda tapers off. If it was an HBO series it could have much more detail.
"The film’s most Christian moment ….when a nod of respect is granted to our friends who have found God through other faiths." – Say What?
I gave you a thumbs-up just for that last line.
Which is the one and only reason for the Prop 8 debacle in California in '08. The final twist of irony there being that, had Obama not been on the ticket and thus spurred a larger-than-normal turnout from black voters, one of the pet dreams of the Obamabots (gay marriage) would have been realized. Thinking of that was the only thing that made me smile on Election Night.
One could only hope for more, eh? BTW, the translation isn't the "End Times", it's actually the "End of the Time"(in a cyclical way, not the end of time)
…. Hanzo
Are you on your meds, dude? You seem progressively more lucid this week.
As someone who believes in the Bible and in the prospect of a future Armageddon, I really couldn't answer your questions, except to suggest that a devastating world war doesn't have to necessarily represent THE Armageddon. After all, there were many Christians during World War II and the early stages of the Cold War who believed Earth was about to enter the End Times–and let's face it, it's not like they didn't have reason to think so. Yet we're still here. So though this was the last war at the time of the movie, there could be another far in the future. Whether or not the prospect of Armageddon, the Rapture, etc. gets worked in here, I suppose that would depend on if "Eli" does well enough at the box office to warrant the sequel. So I guess we'll see.
I'm a heathen but I'm going to see it anyway.
Ditto.
There is only one God. One mediator between God and man, the Messiah, Christ Jesus. Dig into who He was, what He did, what He said. Jesus was a singularity within a Trinity.
I made the mistake of trying to read the latest King book and he really falls back on some awful cliches regarding Christianity. The token "bible thumper" is, of course, a petty tyrant with a secret penchant for bi-racial porn. Add to that a very Oliver Stone-esque main character (disenchanted former military man) and at least one Mao quote (I didn't get far enough to see if there were more) and the book reads like a liberal wet dream. I'm disgusted I even tried to read such garbage.
I hope it's good because I might actually spend money on it.
I'm not saying anything inconsistent with my overall set of positions. I will say that I've encountered quite a tendency for litmus test appraisal of people around here! ("You are either with us or against us!" etc, etc.)
anyway, yes, the supposition of this movie may not be *that* Armageddon… but its interesting to wonder if it is.
I hated Avatar – so maybe I'll see Eli three times.
When I heard that Hollywood had made a film that praised the Bible, I looked out my window to see if Hell had frozen over. Man, these are interesting times.
Thanks, John. I am so relieved to have your blessing on this film. (And I am even more relieved to have a Christian film that's a good film. 'Amazing Grace' broke my heart because it was so badly made. Thank God, the industry is starting to change!)
I guess I'd have to ask: Is this movie about the central tenets of Christianity, or is it just about an explicitly Christian man's faith leading him to do brave and wonderful things against terrible odds? "Faith" is a big subject – bigger than Christianity or even religion in general. It's a fascinating subject and it can be the stuff of great stories.
I love Denzel and Gary, and it would be great to see them in a movie. IF, that is, the movie avoids not-too-subtle hints that I am evil, badly in need of saving, and should accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior post-haste. And IF it doesn't accuse atheists, evolutionists, and members of other religions of being responsible for all the problems in the world. IF, in other words, it's primarily a good movie and not a come-to-Jesus movie. I don't like being proselytized or talked down to by Christians OR Gaia-worshipers.
The way I look at it, in a post-nuclear-holocaust world a good man with a Bible represents a force for civilization even if you don't subscribe to his specific religion. I can deal with it…
King is from my state and he made the incredible comment that if you don't attend to your studies, you might, in your ignorance, end up in the military. We no longer like King!!!!!
Nothing wrong with a good B-movie! In fact, Hollywood should concentrate on making nothing else until they re-learn their craft and some humility. Yeah, fat chance.
I must say though … they have guns, they have trucks, they have all kinds of apparel, but of tens of millions of bibles, only one is left? Is that ever explained? Or should I just shut up and enjoy the ride?
I wrote a post on my blog about King's stereotyping in his new book and posted the quote you mention from King. I also added that my father-in-law, who has served since Vietnam and is a two-star General, happens to have an undergraduate degree in science and an MBA. King is an idiot who has no idea what he is talking about.
My son is a Captain in the Marines. He is an attack helicopter pilot flying the new Huey Yankee(Viper) in AFPAK. I would like to see Mr. King fly this bird; he would be a lawn dart in 15 seconds.
Interesting idea. I would wonder about the role or purpose or meaning of a Christian carrying a bible and preaching *after* the whole Christian "story" has evidently reached its prophesied conclusion. Presumably, the character didn't go through the rapture, ascend to heaven, etc. – he's "left behind." He sort of missed the absolutely last boat. So…Does his Bible even mean anything anymore? When he prays, does God hear him? Is there any sort of relationship with God left for human beings at all? And do you suppose the movie is going to ask those or any other questions about his situation? Or is it just an actioner?
I'm not a believer, but I am able to be interested in how a believer deals with adversity.
Conservative or not, sounds like a commonsense Brit making first contact with "the bubble" and just scratching his head.
You do love that phrase, don't you? And as I said in another thread, were Denzel to actually appear naked on said unicorn, I'd be in line for the midnight show! I think Denzel's a great actor. A few missteps along the way, but consistently good throughout his long career.
I agree 100 %. The Hughes Brothers have done very well in their comeback. They really know how to make a movie. Denzel owns this picture. Wonderful film.
Yeah, the odds of every single copy of the world's most popular book disappearing seem slight…but hey–the movie's got Titus Pullo!!
That's assuming, of course, that the movie takes place during the "tribulation" or whatever it's called, but *before* the final apocalypse. For some reason, I don't find that idea as interesting as a man with a Bible *after* the final judgement, etc.
I saw it at midnight and I disagree completely. The evil tyrant is the one doing the "community organizing."
Did you see this promo? http://vimeo.com/8543691
After the war the bible was blamed gathered up and burned.
Got it.
Isn´t that nice!
Sounds inredibly like sen.john heinz-kerry, dosen't it? We don't like heinz-kerry either, what a uxorious twit….
Yes. perhaps he has been politically enlightened, at least….
Whew, thank God, I thought I was becoming delusional or someone had stolen your avatar. Your typical pap just cleared that up, thanks(I guess)…..
There's still hope for you!….
Hanzo….
I dunno… is Denzel to dark skinned and as I recall he has a negro dialect?____JUST KIDDING… so going!!! and taking my white daughter too! thank god for Denzel!
Liberals can't count on ~95% of people.
On a TV show called "Meet the Natives", Vanuatuans come visit New York and stay with a "WASP". She's a rich white lady who "does art". She takes the five natives to a dinner, and brings along a gay couple. One of the gay men asks the native medicine man if they have homosexual marriage where they come from. The natives are visibly confused by this idea. The holy man says "where we come from, marriage is for a man and woman to make babies. A man and a man cannot do this." They are torn between the strong desire to be polite to their hosts, and please them, as it is obvious that the gay couple wants to hear something tolerant and approving from the natives, but at the same time, marruage between homosexuals in their culture (and many others) just isn't done. There are contextual practices for the few homosexuals that appear, but by and large, heterosexuality is encouraged through peer pressure and cultural norms. This is how the world's cultures are.
Which book was this?
I think I've stopped giving King chances since "Cell". Guy just quit trying.
"I'm not a believer, but I am able to be interested in how a believer deals with adversity."
Go to a church any given Sunday, then, and talk to people. They all have problems. They all ask God's help with those problems.
you are very welcome.
hmmm, I presume that this story is intended to take place right before or leading up to the "final call". I don't think that there is an "after" on Earth.
"The book is the King James Bible, it’s the last one,…"
Just wondering but, what significance should or shouldn't be attached to the type of Bible?
if this movie is intended for Christians… is it for some more than others (Protestants as opposed to Catholics?)
I don't like to see a film which Nolte hasn't reviewed. We don't always agree, but the review is always enlightening.
I'd like to share his reviews with friends, however, I wonder if anyone else has a problem with BH's emailing feature. Though I copy the security code EXACTLY as presented, it always tells me I didn't. That is unless it tells me it couldn't find the server. Huh?
My ego? Hmm not sure what you mean Hanzo, I was commenting on Johns remark about not only Bible Thumpers enjoying this movie. It was my perspective on items of power that are used by people for good and bad that draws me to this movie.
A higher cause can be anything from wanting to fight a common enemy to championing an idea or religion. Being an Athiest of course I don't believe in a higher being but I still understand and apprecite the force this has on the world for both good and evil. If you took offense Hanzo that was not my attempt.
"Liberals can't count on ~95% of people."
oh yes of course! except on those occasions where we magically "trick" the gullible public into voting the more liberal party into office. Us devilishly beguiling liberals! How can you sheepish folks help yourselves against us treacherous wolves!?!
At least you have maintained your sense of humor!
…. Hanzo
Sounds good. I might go see it. And as a added bonus MTV hates it so it has to be good if those drug and sex addict loser hate it.
Considering what I've learned about Revelations – when viewed in its historical context – I would have to say, just from the reviews I've read, one could say the rapture has already occurred.
"You are either with us or against us!"
Have you seen what that's like on the left these days? They through me out because I wouldn't march lock step.
Does his Bible even mean anything anymore?
I haven't seen the movie yet, so just going by the reviews and trailer, it appears the Bible is talking to him.
And by the Bible talking, I mean the "voice" that tells him it's important.
Oh, gosh, I was kidding! I thought that was obvious. And I'm still thinking the message is less about Armageddon than it is about Christian faith in times of trial, etc.
ahem. No I haven't. I probably would suffer likewise if I ever bothered.
why is that?
From what I understand (haven't seen it), it doesn't appear to be either. It seems more like it's a simple action adventure flick, with the Bible as just a means to an end – I hesitate to say a prop – but in my opinion, that's the best way for movies to interact with religion.
Don't base the story on religion (unless absolutely necessary as in The Passion), tell a story, and if religion happens to show up, so be it.
He was impressive in Crimson Tide and American Gangster.
Well Aleric, I don't mean to offend you either, but, when you wrote "it takes a paragon(model of perfection) to resist the urge,,," it just sounded condescending to people of faith. As if you were saying people of faith aren't perfect(paragons) like you(hence the ego remark) because of their faith. Of course if this is your opinion you have every right to say so, no offense taken and none intended, Aleric
…. Hanzo
That would depend on one's eschatological viewpoint (ooh, look at me with the big words!). There are some who argue that the Rapture occurs before the Tribulation (a period including Armageddon and ending with the Last Judgment), some who argue it occurs midway through, and some who argue it occurs at the end. Anyway, like I was saying to CgntvDssdnt, I think the emphasis here is not so much on apocalyptic theology as it is on Christian faith in general. That's my take, at least.
I think you answered the your own question.
it’s the last one
Even if you're not Christen or even religious in any way, the Bible is the most important, impressive, read, translated, published, owned, and read book in the history of Western civilization.
Up until a couple of hundred years ago, if anyone even ever saw a book in their entire lives, it was most likely the Bible. The evolution itself of the Bible – from the first written version of the Pentateuch in circa 450 BC, to the current plethora of versions and translations today, it is the most read, published, sold, what ever, book in the world.
That reason alone makes it worthy of a story.
Because, as I understand it, most of the population has already been dispatched.
That's a prime ingredient. If you read Revelations literally.
perhaps. but the Armageddon aspect seems like a bit of an elephant in the room.
For most of my life, I had no problem getting along with modern liberal family and friends. And then BDS set in, and if I didn't scream bloody murder over Bush, naked on my roof, then my head must be up Rush Limbaugh's ass.
So I started pointing out what ass-hats the democrats where, and there was no excusing that. Next came insults, then came silence.
And now I'm over here.
its a great way to pick up chicks too.
Wow. Ya'll are pathetic. Only looking forward to a movie because you agree with it's views is an atrocious reason to want to go to a film. You're not film lovers. You're lovers of anything that agrees with your idealogy.
People like yourselves bring this country down and scare the crap out of me. Please stop.
of course he did play a very sympathetic lord of darkness in Dracula.
Sorry, you mean in the movie – got you. yes that makes sense.
(thought you meant that Revelations already happened in real life. I was like, whoa!)
It's called "Under the Dome." What a piece of junk.
That was a big word, I had to look it up on Wikipedia.
I don't read Revelations literally. It's believed to be written some time around 110 BC., and is attributed to some named St. John, who may or may not have been the Apostle John. No way of knowing. It's said that he went into some kind of multi-day delusion, and this is what he dreamed.
Much more likely its an essay on trying to buck up Christians just as Roman persecution was starting to kick into high gear. Much of the imagery is taken almost completely from Babylonian mythology, right down to the multi-headed serpent – Tiamat.
Back in those days, written documents were a pretty rare possession in the hands of common people. And one did not want to be caught in possession of document that not only predicted, but outright called for the destruction of the Roman Empire. Rome made no doubts on their view of sedition.
So rather than write a book stating you foresaw the destruction of the Empire, John wrote it a book, that's heavily sprinkled with images that would be recognizable to Jews and Christians, but would look like gobbledygook to gentiles. The anti-Christ (as in before Christ, not opposite of Christ) was most likely Nero (who started persecution) or Domitian (who really cranked it up).
The book basically tells Christian readers to not lose faith, they will make it through this period of turmoil, and Christ will come again to right all of life's wrongs and punish the sinful.
Lawn dart indeed! You must be so proud of your son.
Probably because it was the first official English translation from Greek and Latin (the Vulgate).
There's always a good portion of controversy with every new translation. My guess is this is a way to take all those arguments off the table, because the King James version is sort of viewed as the ultimate English version.
But that's just my guess.
Hell has! From global warming, don't ya know?
It's an apocalyptic wasteland with a dearth of resources and amenities, yet the women still manage to have some makeup, manicured eyebrows and no hair on their legs.
In King's defense, he recently paid travel expenses so that 150 soldiers from Maine could come home for Christmas. That's a great start on making up for a stupid remark.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34403601
The movie would not have quite the impact if the last copy of the Bible was say, a children's version, or one of the Gnostic gospel versions, or one of those versions translated into very modern language or hip-hop.
LOL!
The Theory of Evolution has had a huge impact for good and evil in the world, and I believe in Evolution with the same conviction that I believe in God.
Just food for thought.
With all love, respect, and tolerance for others – I find your comment about those who find God through other faiths and the pluralist nod at the end of this movie troubling. To be a Christian is to accept Christ. By the way He said, "no one comes to the Father but through Me…" Don't mistake the christian position on this as condemnation or intolerance. Believe whatever you want and I still love ya but I don't buy into relativism. 2+2=4 always and no way can a group of antithetical religious beliefs be telling the truth about the same God.
Well, if by "magically trick" you mean disgusing your real motivations, plans and personal histories and running as a moderate, then right out of the gate governing as a Marxist loon like the past 2 democrat presidents, I completely agree.
They had me with Oldman + Washington. They've got me opening weekend with Waits. As always, thanks for the great reviews, John!!!
You are correct, my mistake, AD, not BC, thanks for catching. And you're probably right on the spelling of Ante, spelling has never been my strong point. In Revelations, the Anti-Christ must show up before Christ, so I explain it people using the analogy of anti-pasta, the dish before the pasta.
Every week in Mass, I do say "The Word of the Lord," which is kind of what got me into this place. I asked myself, do I really believe that? So I decided the best way to find out was to see who said so.
The Catholic Church's official position (I asked a Priest) is the Bible is what it is, they take no position on how what got into it. Which is a pretty smart move, else you get into arguments over who translated what, and where did they get the sources.
So I figured there had to be finger prints on who put what where in the Bible, and what a crazy world the history and the historical context of the evolution of the Bible turned out to be. If I was looking for easy answers, that was definitely the wrong place to look.
The earliest, historically documented existence of the Torah was around 450 BC, following the return from the second exile in Babylonia where they spent 40 years, roughly two generations. It's entirely probable that those 40 years in a foreign culture may have impacted those two generations.
And that theory is backed up by a lot of references in Revelations (and also sprinkled through out the Old Testament) of references that look an awful lot like Babylonian mythology.
That's good to hear. Thanks for sharing that.
"the ultimate English version"
nuff said! Thanks
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