Changes

==95:1. THE SALEM RELIGION IN MESOPOTAMIA==   

==95:1. THE SALEM RELIGION IN MESOPOTAMIA==   

95:1.1 By [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000_BC 2000 B.C.] the [[religions]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesopotamia Mesopotamia] had just about lost the teachings of the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_76_-_The_Second_Garden#76:3._LIFE_IN_MESOPOTAMIA Sethites] and were largely under the [[influence]] of the [[primitive]] [[beliefs]] of two groups of [[invaders]], the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedouin Bedouin Semites] who had filtered in from the western [[desert]] and the [[barbarian]] horsemen who had come down from the north.

95:1.1 By [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000_BC 2000 B.C.] the [[religions]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesopotamia Mesopotamia] had just about lost the teachings of the [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_76_-_The_Second_Garden#76:3._LIFE_IN_MESOPOTAMIA Sethites] and were largely under the [[influence]] of the [[primitive]] [[beliefs]] of two groups of [[invaders]], the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedouin Bedouin Semites] who had filtered in from the western [[desert]] and the [[barbarian]] horsemen who had come down from the north.

95:1.2 But the [[custom]] of the early [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_78#78:2._THE_ADAMITES_IN_THE_SECOND_GARDEN Adamite peoples] in honoring the [[seventh]] day of the week never completely disappeared in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesopotamia Mesopotamia]. Only, during the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_93 Melchizedek era], the seventh day was regarded as the worst of bad [[luck]]. It was [[taboo]]-ridden; it was unlawful to go on a [[journey]], cook [[food]], or make a [[fire]] on the [[evil]] seventh day. The [[Jews]] carried back to [[Palestine]] many of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesopotamia Mesopotamian] [[taboos]] which they had found resting on the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylonia Babylonian] observance of the seventh day, the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shabatu Shabattum].

95:1.2 But the [[custom]] of the early [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_78#78:2._THE_ADAMITES_IN_THE_SECOND_GARDEN Adamite peoples] in honoring the [[seventh]] day of the week never completely disappeared in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesopotamia Mesopotamia]. Only, during the [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_93 Melchizedek era], the seventh day was regarded as the worst of bad [[luck]]. It was [[taboo]]-ridden; it was unlawful to go on a [[journey]], cook [[food]], or make a [[fire]] on the [[evil]] seventh day. The [[Jews]] carried back to [[Palestine]] many of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesopotamia Mesopotamian] [[taboos]] which they had found resting on the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylonia Babylonian] observance of the seventh day, the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shabatu Shabattum].

95:1.3 Although the [[Salem]] [[teachers]] did much to refine and uplift the [[religions]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesopotamia Mesopotamia], they did not succeed in bringing the various peoples to the permanent [[recognition]] of [[Monotheism|one God]]. Such teaching gained the ascendency for more than one hundred and fifty years and then [[gradually]] gave way to the older [[belief]] in a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henotheism multiplicity of deities].

95:1.3 Although the [[Salem]] [[teachers]] did much to refine and uplift the [[religions]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesopotamia Mesopotamia], they did not succeed in bringing the various peoples to the permanent [[recognition]] of [[Monotheism|one God]]. Such teaching gained the ascendency for more than one hundred and fifty years and then [[gradually]] gave way to the older [[belief]] in a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henotheism multiplicity of deities].

95:1.4 The [[Salem]] teachers greatly reduced the [[number]] of the gods of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesopotamia Mesopotamia], at one time bringing the chief [[deities]] down to [[seven]]: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bel_%28god%29 Bel], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shamash Shamash], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nabu Nabu], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anu Anu], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enki Ea], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marduk Marduk], and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sin_(mythology) Sin]. At the height of the new teaching they exalted [[three]] of these gods to [[Dominate|supremacy]] over all others, the Babylonian triad: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bel_%28god%29 Bel], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enka Ea], and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anu Anu], the gods of [[earth]], [[sea]], and [[sky]]. Still other triads grew up in [[different]] localities, all reminiscent of the [[trinity]] teachings of the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_78#78:4._THE_ANDITES Andites] and the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_78#78:8._THE_SUMERIANS.E2.80.94LAST_OF_THE_ANDITES Sumerians] and based on the [[belief]] of the Salemites in [[Melchizedek]]'s insignia of the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Norlatiadek three circles].

95:1.4 The [[Salem]] teachers greatly reduced the [[number]] of the gods of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesopotamia Mesopotamia], at one time bringing the chief [[deities]] down to [[seven]]: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bel_%28god%29 Bel], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shamash Shamash], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nabu Nabu], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anu Anu], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enki Ea], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marduk Marduk], and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sin_(mythology) Sin]. At the height of the new teaching they exalted [[three]] of these gods to [[Dominate|supremacy]] over all others, the Babylonian triad: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bel_%28god%29 Bel], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enka Ea], and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anu Anu], the gods of [[earth]], [[sea]], and [[sky]]. Still other triads grew up in [[different]] localities, all reminiscent of the [[trinity]] teachings of the [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_78#78:4._THE_ANDITES Andites] and the [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_78#78:8._THE_SUMERIANS.E2.80.94LAST_OF_THE_ANDITES Sumerians] and based on the [[belief]] of the Salemites in [[Melchizedek]]'s insignia of the [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Norlatiadek three circles].

95:1.5 Never did the [[Salem]] [[teachers]] fully overcome the popularity of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishtar Ishtar], the [[mother]] of gods and the [[spirit]] of [[sex]] [[fertility]]. They did much to refine the [[worship]] of this goddess, but the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylonia Babylonians] and their neighbors had never completely outgrown their [[disguised]] [[forms]] of [[sex]] [[worship]]. It had become a [[universal]] [[practice]] throughout [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesopotamia Mesopotamia] for all [[women]] to submit, at least once in early life, to the [[embrace]] of strangers; this was [[thought]] to be a [[devotion]] required by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishtar Ishtar], and it was believed that [[fertility]] was largely dependent on this [[sex]] [[sacrifice]].

95:1.5 Never did the [[Salem]] [[teachers]] fully overcome the popularity of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishtar Ishtar], the [[mother]] of gods and the [[spirit]] of [[sex]] [[fertility]]. They did much to refine the [[worship]] of this goddess, but the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylonia Babylonians] and their neighbors had never completely outgrown their [[disguised]] [[forms]] of [[sex]] [[worship]]. It had become a [[universal]] [[practice]] throughout [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesopotamia Mesopotamia] for all [[women]] to submit, at least once in early life, to the [[embrace]] of strangers; this was [[thought]] to be a [[devotion]] required by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishtar Ishtar], and it was believed that [[fertility]] was largely dependent on this [[sex]] [[sacrifice]].

95:1.10 It was the [[Salem]] missionaries of the period following the rejection of their teaching who wrote many of the [[Old Testament]] [[Psalms]], inscribing them on stone, where later-day [[Hebrew]] [[priests]] found them during the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylonian_captivity captivity] and subsequently incorporated them among the collection of [[hymns]] ascribed to [[Jewish]] [[authorship]]. These [[beautiful]] [[psalms]] from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylon Babylon] were not written in the [[temples]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bel-Marduk Bel-Marduk]; they were the [[work]] of the descendants of the earlier [[Salem]] missionaries, and they are a striking [[contrast]] to the [[magical]] conglomerations of the Babylonian priests. The [[Book of Job]] is a fairly good [[reflection]] of the teachings of the [[Salem]] school at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kish_(Sumer) Kish] and throughout [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesopotamia Mesopotamia].

95:1.10 It was the [[Salem]] missionaries of the period following the rejection of their teaching who wrote many of the [[Old Testament]] [[Psalms]], inscribing them on stone, where later-day [[Hebrew]] [[priests]] found them during the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylonian_captivity captivity] and subsequently incorporated them among the collection of [[hymns]] ascribed to [[Jewish]] [[authorship]]. These [[beautiful]] [[psalms]] from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylon Babylon] were not written in the [[temples]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bel-Marduk Bel-Marduk]; they were the [[work]] of the descendants of the earlier [[Salem]] missionaries, and they are a striking [[contrast]] to the [[magical]] conglomerations of the Babylonian priests. The [[Book of Job]] is a fairly good [[reflection]] of the teachings of the [[Salem]] school at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kish_(Sumer) Kish] and throughout [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesopotamia Mesopotamia].

95:1.11 Much of the Mesopotamian [[religious]] [[culture]] found its way into [[Hebrew]] [[literature]] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liturgy liturgy] by way of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egypt Egypt] through the work of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amenemope_%28author%29 Amenemope] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikhnaton Ikhnaton]. The Egyptians remarkably preserved the [[teachings]] of [[social]] [[obligation]] derived from the earlier [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_78#78:4._THE_ANDITES Andite] Mesopotamians and so largely lost by the later Babylonians who occupied the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Mesopotamia Euphrates valley].

95:1.11 Much of the Mesopotamian [[religious]] [[culture]] found its way into [[Hebrew]] [[literature]] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liturgy liturgy] by way of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egypt Egypt] through the work of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amenemope_%28author%29 Amenemope] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikhnaton Ikhnaton]. The Egyptians remarkably preserved the [[teachings]] of [[social]] [[obligation]] derived from the earlier [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_78#78:4._THE_ANDITES Andite] Mesopotamians and so largely lost by the later Babylonians who occupied the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Mesopotamia Euphrates valley].

==95:2. EARLY EGYPTIAN RELIGION==     

==95:2. EARLY EGYPTIAN RELIGION==     

95:2.1 The [[original]] [[Melchizedek]] teachings really took their deepest [[root]] in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egypt Egypt], from where they subsequently spread to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe Europe]. The [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_92#92:3._THE_NATURE_OF_EVOLUTIONARY_RELIGION evolutionary religion] of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nile_valley Nile valley] was periodically augmented by the arrival of superior strains of [[Nodite]], [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_78#78:2._THE_ADAMITES_IN_THE_SECOND_GARDEN Adamite], and later [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_78#78:4._THE_ANDITES Andite] peoples of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tigris%E2%80%93Euphrates_river_system Euphrates valley]. From time to time, many of the Egyptian civil administrators were [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_78#78:8._THE_SUMERIANS.E2.80.94LAST_OF_THE_ANDITES Sumerians]. As [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_India India] in these days harbored the highest mixture of the world races, so [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egyptian_religion Egypt] fostered the most thoroughly blended type of [[religious]] [[philosophy]] to be found on [[Urantia]], and from the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nile_valley Nile valley] it spread to many parts of the world. The [[Jews]] received much of their [[idea]] of the [[creation]] of the world from the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylonian_religion Babylonians], but they derived the [[concept]] of [[divine]] [[Providence]] from the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egyptian_religion Egyptians].

95:2.1 The [[original]] [[Melchizedek]] teachings really took their deepest [[root]] in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egypt Egypt], from where they subsequently spread to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe Europe]. The [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_92#92:3._THE_NATURE_OF_EVOLUTIONARY_RELIGION evolutionary religion] of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nile_valley Nile valley] was periodically augmented by the arrival of superior strains of [[Nodite]], [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_78#78:2._THE_ADAMITES_IN_THE_SECOND_GARDEN Adamite], and later [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_78#78:4._THE_ANDITES Andite] peoples of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tigris%E2%80%93Euphrates_river_system Euphrates valley]. From time to time, many of the Egyptian civil administrators were [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_78#78:8._THE_SUMERIANS.E2.80.94LAST_OF_THE_ANDITES Sumerians]. As [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_India India] in these days harbored the highest mixture of the world races, so [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egyptian_religion Egypt] fostered the most thoroughly blended type of [[religious]] [[philosophy]] to be found on [[Urantia]], and from the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nile_valley Nile valley] it spread to many parts of the world. The [[Jews]] received much of their [[idea]] of the [[creation]] of the world from the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylonian_religion Babylonians], but they derived the [[concept]] of [[divine]] [[Providence]] from the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egyptian_religion Egyptians].

95:2.2 It was [[political]] and [[moral]], rather than [[philosophic]] or [[religious]], [[tendencies]] that rendered [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egypt Egypt] more favorable to the [[Salem]] teaching than [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesopotamia Mesopotamia]. Each tribal [[leader]] in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Pharaohs Egypt], after fighting his way to the throne, sought to perpetuate his [[dynasty]] by [[proclaiming]] his tribal god the [[original]] [[deity]] and creator of all other gods. In this way the Egyptians [[gradually]] got used to the [[idea]] of a supergod, a steppingstone to the later [[doctrine]] of a [[universal]] [[creator]] [[Deity]]. The [[idea]] of [[monotheism]] wavered back and forth in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egyptian_religion Egypt] for many centuries, the [[belief]] in one God always gaining ground but never quite [[dominating]] the evolving [[concepts]] of [[polytheism]].

95:2.2 It was [[political]] and [[moral]], rather than [[philosophic]] or [[religious]], [[tendencies]] that rendered [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egypt Egypt] more favorable to the [[Salem]] teaching than [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesopotamia Mesopotamia]. Each tribal [[leader]] in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Pharaohs Egypt], after fighting his way to the throne, sought to perpetuate his [[dynasty]] by [[proclaiming]] his tribal god the [[original]] [[deity]] and creator of all other gods. In this way the Egyptians [[gradually]] got used to the [[idea]] of a supergod, a steppingstone to the later [[doctrine]] of a [[universal]] [[creator]] [[Deity]]. The [[idea]] of [[monotheism]] wavered back and forth in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egyptian_religion Egypt] for many centuries, the [[belief]] in one God always gaining ground but never quite [[dominating]] the evolving [[concepts]] of [[polytheism]].

==95:3. EVOLUTION OF MORAL CONCEPTS==

==95:3. EVOLUTION OF MORAL CONCEPTS==

95:3.1 Although the [[culture]] and [[religion]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypt Egypt] were chiefly derived from [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_78#78:4._THE_ANDITES Andite] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesopotamia Mesopotamia] and largely transmitted to subsequent [[civilizations]] through the [[Hebrews]] and [[Greeks]], much, very much, of the [[social]] and [[ethical]] [[idealism]] of the Egyptians arose in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nile_valley valley of the Nile] as a [[purely]] [[evolutionary]] [[development]]. Notwithstanding the importation of much [[truth]] and [[culture]] of [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_78#78:4._THE_ANDITES Andite] [[origin]], there evolved in Egypt more of [[moral]] [[culture]] as a [[purely]] [[human]] [[development]] than appeared by similar [[natural]] [[techniques]] in any other circumscribed area prior to the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_120 bestowal of Michael].

95:3.1 Although the [[culture]] and [[religion]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypt Egypt] were chiefly derived from [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_78#78:4._THE_ANDITES Andite] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesopotamia Mesopotamia] and largely transmitted to subsequent [[civilizations]] through the [[Hebrews]] and [[Greeks]], much, very much, of the [[social]] and [[ethical]] [[idealism]] of the Egyptians arose in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nile_valley valley of the Nile] as a [[purely]] [[evolutionary]] [[development]]. Notwithstanding the importation of much [[truth]] and [[culture]] of [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_78#78:4._THE_ANDITES Andite] [[origin]], there evolved in Egypt more of [[moral]] [[culture]] as a [[purely]] [[human]] [[development]] than appeared by similar [[natural]] [[techniques]] in any other circumscribed area prior to the [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_120 bestowal of Michael].

95:3.2 [[Moral]] [[evolution]] is not wholly dependent on [[revelation]]. High [[moral]] [[concepts]] can be derived from man's own [[experience]]. Man can even evolve [[spiritual]] [[values]] and derive [[cosmic]] [[insight]] from his [[personal]] experiential living because a [[Thought Adjuster|divine spirit]] indwells him. Such [[natural]] [[evolutions]] of [[conscience]] and [[character]] were also augmented by the periodic arrival of [[teachers]] of [[truth]], in [[ancient]] times from the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_76 second Eden], later on from [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_93 Melchizedek's] headquarters at [[Salem]].

95:3.2 [[Moral]] [[evolution]] is not wholly dependent on [[revelation]]. High [[moral]] [[concepts]] can be derived from man's own [[experience]]. Man can even evolve [[spiritual]] [[values]] and derive [[cosmic]] [[insight]] from his [[personal]] experiential living because a [[Thought Adjuster|divine spirit]] indwells him. Such [[natural]] [[evolutions]] of [[conscience]] and [[character]] were also augmented by the periodic arrival of [[teachers]] of [[truth]], in [[ancient]] times from the [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_76 second Eden], later on from [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_93 Melchizedek's] headquarters at [[Salem]].

95:3.3 Thousands of years before the [[Salem]] gospel penetrated to Egypt, its [[moral]] [[leaders]] taught [[justice]], [[fairness]], and the avoidance of avarice. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3000_BC Three thousand years] before the [[Hebrew Bible|Hebrew scriptures]] were written, the motto of the Egyptians was: "[[Established]] is the man whose [[standard]] is [[righteousness]]; who walks according to its way." They taught [[gentleness]], [[moderation]], and [[discretion]]. The [[message]] of one of the great [[teachers]] of this [[epoch]] was: "Do right and deal justly with all." The Egyptian triad of this age was [[Truth]]-[[Justice]]-[[Righteousness]]. Of all the [[purely]] [[human]] [[religions]] of [[Urantia]] none ever surpassed the [[social]] [[ideals]] and the moral grandeur of this onetime [[humanism]] of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nile_valley Nile valley].

95:3.3 Thousands of years before the [[Salem]] gospel penetrated to Egypt, its [[moral]] [[leaders]] taught [[justice]], [[fairness]], and the avoidance of avarice. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3000_BC Three thousand years] before the [[Hebrew Bible|Hebrew scriptures]] were written, the motto of the Egyptians was: "[[Established]] is the man whose [[standard]] is [[righteousness]]; who walks according to its way." They taught [[gentleness]], [[moderation]], and [[discretion]]. The [[message]] of one of the great [[teachers]] of this [[epoch]] was: "Do right and deal justly with all." The Egyptian triad of this age was [[Truth]]-[[Justice]]-[[Righteousness]]. Of all the [[purely]] [[human]] [[religions]] of [[Urantia]] none ever surpassed the [[social]] [[ideals]] and the moral grandeur of this onetime [[humanism]] of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nile_valley Nile valley].

95:4.4 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amenemope_(author) Amenemope] functioned to [[conserve]] the [[ethics]] of [[evolution]] and the [[morals]] of [[revelation]] and in his [[writings]] passed them on both to the [[Hebrews]] and to the [[Greeks]]. He was not the greatest of the religious [[teachers]] of this age, but he was the most [[influential]] in that he colored the subsequent [[thought]] of two vital links in the growth of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occident Occidental civilization]—the [[Hebrews]], among whom evolved the [[acme]] of Occidental [[religious]] [[faith]], and the [[Greeks]], who developed [[pure]] philosophic [[thought]] to its greatest [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe European] heights.

95:4.4 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amenemope_(author) Amenemope] functioned to [[conserve]] the [[ethics]] of [[evolution]] and the [[morals]] of [[revelation]] and in his [[writings]] passed them on both to the [[Hebrews]] and to the [[Greeks]]. He was not the greatest of the religious [[teachers]] of this age, but he was the most [[influential]] in that he colored the subsequent [[thought]] of two vital links in the growth of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occident Occidental civilization]—the [[Hebrews]], among whom evolved the [[acme]] of Occidental [[religious]] [[faith]], and the [[Greeks]], who developed [[pure]] philosophic [[thought]] to its greatest [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe European] heights.

95:4.5 In the [[Book of Proverbs|Book of Hebrew Proverbs]], chapters [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Proverbs#Proverb_.15 fifteen], [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Proverbs#Proverb_.17 seventeen], [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Proverbs#Proverb_.20 twenty], and chapter twenty-two, verse seventeen, to chapter twenty-four, verse twenty-two, are taken almost verbatim from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amenemope_(author) Amenemope]'s [http://www.maat.sofiatopia.org/amen_em_apt.htm Book of Wisdom]. The [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Psalms#Psalm_1 first psalm] of the [[Hebrew]] [[Book of Psalms]] was written by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amenemope_(author) Amenemope] and is the [[heart]] of the teachings of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikhnaton Ikhnaton].

95:4.5 In the [[Book of Proverbs|Book of Hebrew Proverbs]], chapters [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Proverbs#Proverb_.15 fifteen], [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Proverbs#Proverb_.17 seventeen], [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Proverbs#Proverb_.20 twenty], and chapter twenty-two, verse seventeen, to chapter twenty-four, verse twenty-two, are taken almost verbatim from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amenemope_(author) Amenemope]'s [http://www.maat.sofiatopia.org/amen_em_apt.htm Book of Wisdom]. The [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Psalms#Psalm_1 first psalm] of the [[Hebrew]] [[Book of Psalms]] was written by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amenemope_(author) Amenemope] and is the [[heart]] of the teachings of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikhnaton Ikhnaton].

==95:5. THE REMARKABLE IKHNATON==

==95:5. THE REMARKABLE IKHNATON==

95:5.1 The teachings of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amenemope_%28author%29 Amenemope] were slowly losing their hold on the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egyptian_religion Egyptian mind] when, through the [[influence]] of an Egyptian Salemite [[physician]], a woman of the royal family espoused the [[Melchizedek]] teachings. This [[woman]] prevailed upon her son, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikhanaton Ikhnaton], Pharaoh of Egypt, to [[accept]] these [[doctrines]] of One God.

95:5.1 The teachings of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amenemope_%28author%29 Amenemope] were slowly losing their hold on the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egyptian_religion Egyptian mind] when, through the [[influence]] of an Egyptian Salemite [[physician]], a woman of the royal family espoused the [[Melchizedek]] teachings. This [[woman]] prevailed upon her son, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikhanaton Ikhnaton], Pharaoh of Egypt, to [[accept]] these [[doctrines]] of One God.

95:5.2 Since the disappearance of [[Melchizedek]] in the [[flesh]], no [[human being]] up to that time had possessed such an amazingly clear [[concept]] of the [[revealed]] [[religion]] of [[Salem]] as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikhanaton Ikhnaton]. In some respects this young Egyptian king is one of the most remarkable [[persons]] in [[human]] [[history]]. During this time of increasing [[spiritual]] depression in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesopotamia Mesopotamia], he kept alive the [[doctrine]] of [[El Elyon]], the One God, in Egypt, thus maintaining the philosophic [[monotheistic]] [[channel]] which was vital to the [[religious]] background of the then [[future]] [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_120 bestowal of Michael]. And it was in [[recognition]] of this exploit, among other reasons, that the child [[Jesus]] was taken to Egypt, where some of the [[spiritual]] successors of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikhanaton Ikhnaton] saw him and to some extent [[understood]] certain [[phases]] of his [[divine]] mission to [[Urantia]].

95:5.2 Since the disappearance of [[Melchizedek]] in the [[flesh]], no [[human being]] up to that time had possessed such an amazingly clear [[concept]] of the [[revealed]] [[religion]] of [[Salem]] as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikhanaton Ikhnaton]. In some respects this young Egyptian king is one of the most remarkable [[persons]] in [[human]] [[history]]. During this time of increasing [[spiritual]] depression in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesopotamia Mesopotamia], he kept alive the [[doctrine]] of [[El Elyon]], the One God, in Egypt, thus maintaining the philosophic [[monotheistic]] [[channel]] which was vital to the [[religious]] background of the then [[future]] [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_120 bestowal of Michael]. And it was in [[recognition]] of this exploit, among other reasons, that the child [[Jesus]] was taken to Egypt, where some of the [[spiritual]] successors of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikhanaton Ikhnaton] saw him and to some extent [[understood]] certain [[phases]] of his [[divine]] mission to [[Urantia]].

95:5.3 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses Moses], the greatest [[character]] between [[Melchizedek]] and [[Jesus]], was the joint gift to the world of the [[Hebrew]] [[race]] and the Egyptian royal family; and had Ikhnaton [[possessed]] the [[versatility]] and [[ability]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses Moses], had he [[manifested]] a [[political]] [[genius]] to match his surprising [[religious]] [[leadership]], then would Egypt have become the great [[monotheistic]] nation of that age; and if this had happened, it is barely possible that [[Jesus]] might have lived the greater portion of his [[mortal]] life in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypt Egypt].

95:5.3 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses Moses], the greatest [[character]] between [[Melchizedek]] and [[Jesus]], was the joint gift to the world of the [[Hebrew]] [[race]] and the Egyptian royal family; and had Ikhnaton [[possessed]] the [[versatility]] and [[ability]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses Moses], had he [[manifested]] a [[political]] [[genius]] to match his surprising [[religious]] [[leadership]], then would Egypt have become the great [[monotheistic]] nation of that age; and if this had happened, it is barely possible that [[Jesus]] might have lived the greater portion of his [[mortal]] life in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypt Egypt].

95:5.13 The teaching of [[immortality]] for all men was too advanced for the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egyptian_Religion Egyptians]. Only [[kings]] and the rich were promised a [[resurrection]]; therefore did they so carefully embalm and preserve their [[bodies]] in [[tombs]] against the day of [[judgment]]. But the [[democracy]] of [[salvation]] and [[resurrection]] as taught by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikhanaton Ikhnaton] [[eventually]] prevailed, even to the extent that the Egyptians later believed in the [[survival]] of dumb animals.

95:5.13 The teaching of [[immortality]] for all men was too advanced for the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egyptian_Religion Egyptians]. Only [[kings]] and the rich were promised a [[resurrection]]; therefore did they so carefully embalm and preserve their [[bodies]] in [[tombs]] against the day of [[judgment]]. But the [[democracy]] of [[salvation]] and [[resurrection]] as taught by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikhanaton Ikhnaton] [[eventually]] prevailed, even to the extent that the Egyptians later believed in the [[survival]] of dumb animals.

95:5.14 Although the [[effort]] of this Egyptian ruler to impose the [[worship]] of one [[God]] upon his people appeared to fail, it should be [[recorded]] that the [[repercussions]] of his [[work]] [[persisted]] for centuries both in [[Palestine]] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greece Greece]], and that Egypt thus became the [[agent]] for transmitting the combined [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_92#92:3._THE_NATURE_OF_EVOLUTIONARY_RELIGION evolutionary culture] of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nile_valley Nile] and the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_92#92:4._THE_GIFT_OF_REVELATION revelatory religion] of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumer Euphrates] to all of the subsequent peoples of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occident Occident].

95:5.14 Although the [[effort]] of this Egyptian ruler to impose the [[worship]] of one [[God]] upon his people appeared to fail, it should be [[recorded]] that the [[repercussions]] of his [[work]] [[persisted]] for centuries both in [[Palestine]] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greece Greece]], and that Egypt thus became the [[agent]] for transmitting the combined [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_92#92:3._THE_NATURE_OF_EVOLUTIONARY_RELIGION evolutionary culture] of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nile_valley Nile] and the [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_92#92:4._THE_GIFT_OF_REVELATION revelatory religion] of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumer Euphrates] to all of the subsequent peoples of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occident Occident].

95:5.15 The [[glory]] of this great era of [[moral]] [[development]] and [[spiritual]] [[growth]] in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nile_valley Nile valley] was rapidly passing at about the time the national life of the [[Hebrews]] was beginning, and consequent upon their [[sojourn]] in Egypt these [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedouin Bedouins] carried away much of these teachings and perpetuated many of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikhanaton Ikhnaton]'s [[doctrines]] in their racial [[religion]].

95:5.15 The [[glory]] of this great era of [[moral]] [[development]] and [[spiritual]] [[growth]] in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nile_valley Nile valley] was rapidly passing at about the time the national life of the [[Hebrews]] was beginning, and consequent upon their [[sojourn]] in Egypt these [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedouin Bedouins] carried away much of these teachings and perpetuated many of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikhanaton Ikhnaton]'s [[doctrines]] in their racial [[religion]].

95:6.4 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoroaster Zoroaster] did not teach the [[worship]] of [[fire]] but sought to utilize the flame as a [[symbol]] of the [[pure]] and [[wise]] [[Spirit]] of [[universal]] and supreme [[dominance]]. (All too true, his later followers did both [[reverence]] and [[worship]] this [[symbolic]] [[fire]].) Finally, upon the [[conversion]] of an Iranian prince, this new [[religion]] was spread by the [[Coercion|sword]]. And [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoroaster Zoroaster] [[heroically]] died in battle for that which he believed was the "[[truth]] of the Lord of [[light]]."

95:6.4 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoroaster Zoroaster] did not teach the [[worship]] of [[fire]] but sought to utilize the flame as a [[symbol]] of the [[pure]] and [[wise]] [[Spirit]] of [[universal]] and supreme [[dominance]]. (All too true, his later followers did both [[reverence]] and [[worship]] this [[symbolic]] [[fire]].) Finally, upon the [[conversion]] of an Iranian prince, this new [[religion]] was spread by the [[Coercion|sword]]. And [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoroaster Zoroaster] [[heroically]] died in battle for that which he believed was the "[[truth]] of the Lord of [[light]]."

95:6.5 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoroastrianism Zoroastrianism] is the only Urantian creed that perpetuates the [[Dalamatia]]n and [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_73 Edenic teachings] about the [[Seven Master Spirits]]. While failing to evolve the [[Trinity]] [[concept]], it did in a certain way approach that of [[God the Sevenfold]]. Original [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoroastrianism Zoroastrianism] was not a [[pure]] [[dualism]]; though the early teachings did picture [[evil]] as a [[time]] [[co-ordinate]] of [[goodness]], it was definitely [[eternity]]-submerged in the [[ultimate]] [[reality]] of the good. Only in later times did the [[belief]] gain credence that [[good]] and [[evil]] contended on [[equal]] terms.

95:6.5 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoroastrianism Zoroastrianism] is the only Urantian creed that perpetuates the [[Dalamatia]]n and [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_73 Edenic teachings] about the [[Seven Master Spirits]]. While failing to evolve the [[Trinity]] [[concept]], it did in a certain way approach that of [[God the Sevenfold]]. Original [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoroastrianism Zoroastrianism] was not a [[pure]] [[dualism]]; though the early teachings did picture [[evil]] as a [[time]] [[co-ordinate]] of [[goodness]], it was definitely [[eternity]]-submerged in the [[ultimate]] [[reality]] of the good. Only in later times did the [[belief]] gain credence that [[good]] and [[evil]] contended on [[equal]] terms.

95:6.6 The [[Jewish]] [[traditions]] of [[heaven]] and [[hell]] and the [[doctrine]] of devils as [[recorded]] in the [[Hebrew scriptures]], while founded on the lingering [[traditions]] of [[Lucifer]] and [[Caligastia]], were principally derived from the Zoroastrians during the times when the Jews were under the [[political]] and [[cultural]] [[dominance]] of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persia Persians]. Zoroaster, like the Egyptians, taught the "day of judgment," but he [[connected]] this [[event]] with the end of the world.

95:6.6 The [[Jewish]] [[traditions]] of [[heaven]] and [[hell]] and the [[doctrine]] of devils as [[recorded]] in the [[Hebrew scriptures]], while founded on the lingering [[traditions]] of [[Lucifer]] and [[Caligastia]], were principally derived from the Zoroastrians during the times when the Jews were under the [[political]] and [[cultural]] [[dominance]] of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persia Persians]. Zoroaster, like the Egyptians, taught the "day of judgment," but he [[connected]] this [[event]] with the end of the world.

95:7.7 Presented by a [[Melchizedek]] of [[Nebadon]].

95:7.7 Presented by a [[Melchizedek]] of [[Nebadon]].

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[[Category: PART III: The History of Urantia]]

[[Category: PART III: The History of Urantia]]