RAISING THE DEAD HISTORY OF THE NATIONS TO LIFE…RESCUING HISTORY FROM THE VISIONLESS DEATH KNELL OF A BIASED, HUMANISTIC, MYTHICAL, AND IMMORAL FAITHLESSNESS
Christ…and the Axial History of the Ancient World PAGE 2
“Where there is no Vision, the people perish…”- Proverbs 29:18
In the four and a half decades of teaching ancient and biblical history, this author has witnessed the elevating power of hope invoked by the histories of peoples and nations around the world… Such histories have held captive the hearts of thousands of students – young people and old – across the nation, and now, around the world.
The author unashamedly confesses the power of the Christ in the affairs of the world…as it is written in Psalms where we read of Christ’s inheritance in the nations as given to Him by His Father – Psalm 2. God keeps His Word… despite the prejudice that is sourced in the enmity originating in the hearts (and mouths!) of His detractors.
Too many write histories devoid of Christ’s Rule among the nations. Tragically this is found to be little different in Christian schools, colleges and even seminaries. That needs correcting. May God use this as an offering for raising up a new generation…unto His Glory!
Sola Scriptura (Scripture is the Standard) Sola Fide (by Faith alone) Sola Gracia (by Grace alone)
Wayne Sedlak, Ph.D, M.Div., B.A.
Pastor, Linguist, Historian, Professor, Dean, Author…(Husband and Grandpa!)
“That Christ might have the preeminence…”
=Colossians 1:18
Ancient History Classes
“Where there is no Vision, the people perish…”- Proverbs 29:18
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Audio introduction for understanding a Trinitarian approach to the Ancient history of the world…topic by topic.
The following briefly introduced topics are designed only to illustrate the approach to Ancient and biblical history. These are NOT designed as exhaustive lessons but simply to give the listener some understanding of HOW the subject matter will be handled. (Some are briefly introduced as examples for the listener’s interest and pleasure.)
Audio introduction for understanding a Trinitarian approach to the Ancient history of the world…topic by topic.
The following briefly introduced topics are designed only to illustrate the approach to Ancient and biblical history. These are NOT designed as exhaustive lessons but simply to give the listener some understanding of HOW the subject matter will be handled. (Some are briefly introduced as examples for the listener’s interest and pleasure.)
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Six day Creation and its history in the ancient world
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Facts don’t speak…
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History of the Garden of Eden
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Man was advanced – NOT primitive
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The Fall in history & Scripture
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Evidences for ancient history before the Flood
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Scripture and Science: The world wide flood of Noah
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“Nothing like it anywhere in the world.” – Genesis 10: The Table of Nations
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Semites and the alleged “Myths”
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Ebla
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Sodom & Gomorrah
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The “spade of Archaeology” and Scripture
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The Exodus and Ipuwer
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Inspiration and Inerrancy of the Word of God
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The Great Empires: Greece, Rome, Babylon, Assyria, Persians
A Lesson drawn from the ancient world…
The Imperial Kérux
(Yes Pastor, that’s you!)
1. Gaius Popillius Laenas: Drawing the Circle in the Sand
Gaius Popillius Laenas (fl. 172–158 BC) was a politician and general of the Roman Republic. He was consul two times in 172 and 158 BC. However he is best known by the commission he received from the Roman Senate in the capacity of “Envoy.”
The Greeks use the term κῆρυξ – Kérux , one sent by a king or emperor to the inhabitants of the realm to make demand upon them and whose word was final. The term became popular throughout the ancient world due to the impressive stature of such a position and the effectiveness with which it was wielded.
The kérux as envoy, Gaius Popilius Laenas, drawing the circle around Antiochus Epiphanies IV
The ancient world understood very well the power of the Senate of Rome, which at that time exercised Imperial power (“Empire”) over a wide range of conquered territories, creating provincial governments and challenging many other territories throughout Europe (from Spain to Greece/Macedon), the Mediterranean basin, North Africa, and the Middle East, wherein it was only a matter of time when such authority was vested in a single “Emperor”…Augustus Caesar, the adopted nephew of Julius Caesar, whose assassination (44 BC) prevented him from assuming the Imperial purple. But that’s another lesson for another time.
Before we proceed we should understand that, though Gaius Popillius Laenas carried himself impressively, that is NOT the only impression made on the day when he stood before a king of Syria – Antiochus Epiphanes IV by name. Antiochus had been a youth when his father, the king, suffered defeat at the hands of the Roman armies in the decisive battle of Magnesia (190 BC), In exchange for time needed to raise the enormous tribute exacted upon him by the Roman Senate, Antiochus the Great gave his son (the above-mentioned Antiochus Epiphanies) to the Romans be held captive in a rather glorified confinement whereby the Romans allowed him to walk somewhat freely throughout Rome itself (with a bodyguard).
Coin depicting Antiochus IV adorned with a radiate crown, Greek inscription reads ΘΕΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡΟΥ / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ (King Antiochus, God manifest, bearer of victory)
There in Rome he saw the power of the victorious Roman armies – over the years, one after another – as they exhibited masses of spoil and changed captives through the streets of Rome in celebrated parades called “Triumphs.” Such Triumphs would often last for many days.
The Romans knew someday Antiochus would inherit the throne of his father and the impressions he received from his stay in Rome would impress the relations he had with the growing Roman provincial power in the future.
That day arrived as Antiochus Epiphanies IV, now king of Syria, stood with his massive army at the edge of the desert threatening Egypt. But Egypt was considered “the friend of Rome.” So, Gaius Popillius Laenas, the envoy of Rome, acting as kérux (Antiochus was “Hellenized”, i.e., Greek educated and understood that usage), stood before the Syrian king and refused to receive the King’s hand of friendship. Instead, he demanded the King leave Egypt immediately. Shocked by the apparent affront of an envoy who had merely a small bodyguard with him while confronting the massive Syrian army, Antiochus replied he would that he would take up the matter with his counselors. In response to attempted delay, Laenas, acting as kérux, took a stick and drew a circle in the sand around the King. Thus, he withstood the king and announced, “I will have your answer before you leave the circle” (implied was the added ellipsis: ‘else there will be war with Rome.’).[1]
Frightened by his memories of the great Roman power and this kérux whose actions were “as bold as a lion” (cf. Proverbs 28:1), the Syrian king withdrew his armies from Egypt without further delay.
2. The Minister of God
The apostle Paul would use the verb κηρύσσω: kērússō when he was describing the power of preaching. Of course, Paul knew that the verb and its noun, kérux, invoked the same authority. It is given to pastors to preach (Gr. kērússō) with such authority as that such draws a circle around the hearts of our listeners. As pastors, we draw upon an even greater authority than what we represent in our mere persons. Laenas represented the mighty authority of Rome, a provincial power reaching out in all directions, expressing itself as Empire. As pastors, we draw upon the mighty power of the greatest King of Heaven and earth, Jesus Christ the Lord and, according to the apostle Paul, we do so by using the penetrating power of His Holy Word.
So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. – The Apostle Paul, Romans 7:25
For those homeschoolers and parents wanting to understand HOW the Word of God utilizes ancient history, feel free to call us at this number: 262. 597. 2030. Leave us a message – 1) your first name (and last if you wish), 2) your phone number with area code, and 3) when it would be convenient to call you – and we will get back to you!
[1] Livy, Ab Urbe Condita, xlv.12, and Polybius, The Histories, Fragments of Book XXIX, published in Vol. VI of the Loeb Classical Library edition, 1922-1927
