The Babylon Connection?

Shows that claims about Babylonian origins often lack connection - takes a closer look at the oft-quoted The Two Babylons by Alexander Hislop providing some much needed clarification on the subject. EXCERPT: Suppose we could go back in time--back to the days of ancient Babylon. What kind of religion would we find being practiced there? According to Alexander Hislop we would find people attending a mass partaking of a little round wafer worshiping a cross going to confession being baptized with water for the remission of sins burning wax candles and bowing before a divine Mother and Child. We would notice that places of worship featured a tower. Priests wearing a circular tonsure dressed in black garments would give those who died the last rites. With monks and nuns in abundance the Babylonians would be practicing essentially all the rites known today in the Roman catholic Church! According to Alexander Hislop it all started with Nimrod and his wife Semiramis thus the subtitle of The Two Babylons: "the Papal Worship Proved to Be the Worship of Nimrod and His Wife." But any information about Nimrod and Semiramis in history books is at best sketchy. In the Bible Nimrod "the mighty hunter" is only mentioned four times--and his wife is never mentioned! Nevertheless Hislop claims to know all kinds of detailed information about Nimrod and his wife....By now the reader may be asking the obvious question: Where does Hislop get all this information? The answer is clear. Based on mere similarities he merges a variety of mythological stories together so that the hero in each becomes Nimrod. The Bible says Nimrod was a "mighty one"; in mythology Hercules was a mighty one or giant--so Hercules must have been Nimrod! Nimrod was known as "a mighty hunter"; in mythology Orion is called the Hunter--so Orion must have been Nimrod! The building of the Tower of Babylon is commonly linked with Nimrod; in mythology Kronos

In addition to authoring over a dozen books, Ralph Woodrow has had the opportunity to speak for many Churches and groups of various denominations during 40 years of ministry--including camp meetings, conventions and conferences. Through a unique set of circumstances he was put into the ministry at age 18. His ministry began in Canada, where he went as a pianist for an evangelist--but soon several Churches and groups opened their doors for Ralph to preach extended revival meetings. When he returned home after a few of months of ministry in Canada, God continued to open doors for him to preach the Gospel--holding revivals at many Churches and denominational rallies. As a single man of 21 he felt led to hold tent revivals and also to preach on the radio, with good results from both. From these early beginnings sprang an inter-denominational ministry, through which many effective doors of ministry open to this day.

In his early teens, he began to search the Scriptures--becoming intrigued to discover things in the Bible that he hadn't been taught. Similarly, he began to discover that some of the things he had been taught were not in the Bible. Ralph memorized hundreds of Scriptures as a teenager--his whole life revolved around studying God's Word and seeking God's will for his life. He preached his first sermon when he was 15 in their local Church. He spent much time at the Church, doing anything he could to serve the Lord--mowing the lawns, cleaning the Church, praying, and attending the meetings where he grew in the Spirit-filled life.

Throughout his ministry, in addition to preaching the Gospel at large, he has shared neglected biblical truths. AS AN AUTHOR, he is known for his scholarly research, along with his emphasis on the importance of love and unity. He emphasizes that if Christians disagree on some points of doctrine--they should disagree agreeably--knowing that all Christians agree on more than they disagree. Books he has authored total over a half million in print. Also, he has shared printed sermons with a select list--since 1961. Woodrow was born in San Jacinto, California and grew up in nearby Riverside. He and his wife, Arlene who is also a minister and writer, minister in various capacities locally in addition to periodically ministering throughout the U.S., and sometimes in Canada.