In God's Image and Likeness: Ancient and Modern Perspectives on the Book of Moses, Vol. 1 - Softcover

Bradshaw, Jeffrey M.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0982808216 ISBN 13: 9780982808214

Publisher: Jeffrey M. Bradshaw, 2010

Synopsis

The stories of the Grand Councils in Heaven, the Creation, the Fall, and the revelation of the Plan of Salvation to mankind are foundational to LDS doctrine. As it turns out, they are also the focus of a vast ancient literature by Jewish commentators, Islamic scholars, and early Christians, as well as the nexus of perennial controversies about science and religion. This volume contains the most comprehensive commentary ever published on the beautiful and doctrinally rich early chapters of the book of Moses, combining prophetic insights, excerpts from ancient texts, current scientific perspectives, and up-to-date biblical scholarship-all presented from a perspective of faith. Each section of the book is prefaced by an overview illuminating major themes and issues. This is followed by the text of each chapter of scripture, accompanied by a detailed phrase-by-phrase commentary designed to give the modern reader both an understanding of the plain sense of the words as well as their significance in context. Based on the first complete transcriptions of the original manuscripts of the Joseph Smith Translation, significant textual variants are identified and discussed. Of special interest to LDS readers is the light that the book of Moses sheds on temple worship. A detailed study of this book of scripture in conjunction with ancient and modern sources suggests striking parallels with temple themes. Insights on these topics from LDS scripture and prophets, as well as relevant extracts from the works of Hugh Nibley and other religious scholars, historians, philosophers, scientists, literary specialists, playwrights, musicians, and artists are found on nearly every page of the book.

About this title

About the Author

Jeffrey M. Bradshaw is a senior research scientist at the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC) in Pensacola, Florida (http://www.ihmc.us/groups/jbradshaw/). His professional writings have explored a wide range of topics in human and machine intelligence. Jeff is the author of an extensive scholarly commentary on the book of Moses entitled "In God's Image and Likeness" (Eborn Books, 2010, www.imageandlikeness.net) and a shorter study, "Temple Themes in the Book of Moses," that will appear later in 2010. The commentary has been praised by the eminent Old Testament scholar Margaret Barker as "remarkable," by BYU Professor of Ancient Scripture S. Kent Brown as a "most interesting tapestry," by BYU Professor of Ancient Scripture David R. Seely as being of "cosmic scope" with a "wealth of stunning artistic and literary images," and by prominent LDS scientist David H. Bailey as a "uniquely modern and honest treatment." Jeff has presented at Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research (FAIR) meetings in the United States, Germany, and France, and has published in the International Journal of Mormon Studies and Element: A Journal of Mormon Philosophy and Theology. His article on the Dura Europos Ezekiel mural as a witness of ancient Jewish mysteries was published in BYU Studies in April 2010. He has written for Meridian Magazine and also maintains a blog and RSS feed entitled "Temple Themes in the Scriptures" (http://blog.templethemes.net/). Jeff was a missionary in the Belgium-Brussels mission and has since served in a variety of Church capacities including early-morning seminary teacher, bishop, high councilor, stake presidency counselor, and temple ordinance worker. He and his wife Kathleen are the parents of four children, and the grandparents of four.

Edition details

• Publisher: Jeffrey M. Bradshaw
• Publication date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0982808216
• ISBN 13: 9780982808214
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 440