Biblical Time Machine The History of Prayer from Ancient Judaism to Early Christianity
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Jun 10, 2024 Join expert Judith Newman as she discusses the evolution of prayer from ancient Judaism to early Christianity, focusing on the Song of Miriam, the Lord's Prayer, and the role of teachers and sages in shaping prayer practices. Dive into the historical context of prayer in Jewish homes, explore different forms of prayer, learn about Ben Sira's teachings, and compare prayer teachings in Luke and Matthew's Gospels. The podcast also delves into the development of prayers over time and wraps up with a whimsical discussion on time travel to ancient religious spaces.
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Defining Verbal Prayer
- Judith Newman defines verbal prayer as human-initiated speech addressed to God, typically non-conversational and often in the second person.
- She highlights the puzzle of blessings since both God and humans utter them, complicating classification.
Prayer Exists Apart From Sacrifice
- The Hebrew Bible shows short verbal prayers separate from sacrifice, like Moses' five-word intercession for Miriam.
- Prayers sometimes accompany sacrifices but also function independently in Israelite religion.
Exile Transformed Prayer's Role
- The Babylonian exile catalyzed the rise of prayer, scripture, and confession as central practices in post-exilic Judaism.
- Prayers began to replace or complement sacrifices and served as means of communal and individual reconciliation.