2 - Gods of the Bible by Mauro Biglino - Part 1

Date: 9/15/2024

Thread: 1 - Ancient Civilizations

Sub-thread: 1 - Old Testament

Sub-sub-thread: 1 - Gods of the Bible by Mauro Biglino, 2023

Is it possible to reconcile the Bible and Christianity with science? Religion and science cannot describe two separate realities. They both exist in the same reality that we all experience.

Is the Old Testament of the Bible really about a monotheistic, omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent God, or was the original Hebrew that formed the books of the Old Testament gradually transformed into something different over hundreds of years in the distant past?

Science and religion have been fighting it out for generations, and religion has been gradually losing the battle, as evidenced by declining church attendance. There has been a steady drop in church attendance over the past 70 years in both the U.S. and, particularly, in Western Europe.

ChatGPT 4o

ChatGPT 4o

The precipitous decline in church attendance across the U.S. and Western Europe shows no signs of reversing. The worldview of Christianity is no longer engaging the hearts and minds of the general public. Could the reason be that the explanatory power of Christian beliefs has lost touch with the everyday experiences of people? If so, then the ideas and concepts presented in this episode will help reconnect people to the original meanings of key words found in the Old Testament.

Gods of the Bible

Mauro Biglino’s book, Gods of the Bible, published in 2023, offers a new analysis of key words and concepts found in the Old Testament, providing eye-opening insights into what the original authors actually experienced. Biglino’s approach aligns well with the experience-based methodology that science uses to determine truth. The result of incorporating Biglino’s concepts into our worldview will be an increased reconciliation between the Abrahamic religions and scientific understanding.

Short Bio of Mauro Biglino

The following biographical information is taken directly from Biglino’s published works and from the book “Handbook of UFO Religions,” edited by Benjamin E. Zeller.

Biglino was an inspector of genetic laboratories belonging to schools and universities. His inspections were conducted to determine the legality of the activities occurring in the labs.

He served in the Alpine Army of the Italian Army, which is the mountain warfare infantry corps. The Alpine Army is a prestigious branch of the Italian Army.

Biglino admits to being a Freemason and attaining the degree of Grand Master, although he no longer practices.

Around the age of 50 (circa 2001), he developed an interest in biblical Hebrew and took between 20 and 25 lessons from a private teacher in Turin, Italy. After that, he began studying books published by the British Biblical Society.

He then started reading the Hebrew Bible published by Edizioni San Paolo, an important Catholic publisher.

He began to spot small mistakes in the translation and communicated them to the publisher of Edizioni San Paolo, who appreciated Biglino’s work and was impressed enough to ask him to translate entire books of the Old Testament.

His work included checking the translations of Genesis and Exodus. He also produced interlinear translations of nineteen books of the Old Testament which were accepted and used by Edizioni San Paolo.

He also translated the Book of Joshua and the Book of Judges, but they were never published because Biglino had, by that time, developed a modified narrative of the Old Testament that was too inconsistent with Church doctrine. Therefore, his services with Edizioni San Paolo were canceled.

Biglino has published several books in Italian over the last few years that have contributed to the understanding presented in Gods of the Bible. He also lectures at various events, has his own YouTube channel, and appears as a guest on other channels.

For the remainder of this episode and in the subsequent related episodes that follow, the Gods of the Bible will be summarized with limited commentary. More complete commentaries and expansions on Biglino's work will be provided once the summaries are complete.

So let's begin our look into Gods of the Bible!

Introduction

The introduction of Mauro Biglino's Gods of the Bible takes us on a captivating journey into the world of cargo cults that sprang to life during and after World War II in the Pacific Islands, especially Vanuatu. The chapter reveals how islanders, caught off guard by advanced American military tech and supplies, began to weave new belief systems around their experiences. Having never seen anything like it before, these islanders created religious rituals in hopes of enticing the return of the "gods" who had blessed them with cargo—things like food, clothing, and weapons. Their unique rituals even included building replicas of runways, planes, and control towers, all to draw back more of that promised cargo, much like the American soldiers who once inhabited their islands.

The introduction uses the idea of cargo cults to explore big questions about how we form our beliefs and view the world. It looks at how these beliefs persist, especially when people don’t fully understand them. Biglino proposes that a lot of human history and religious thought might have emerged in a similar manner, with early humans interpreting their experiences with more advanced beings as divine revelations. This brings us to the book’s main theme: the intriguing possibility that ancient religious texts, such as the Bible, may have been shaped by encounters with extraterrestrials rather than the divine beings we typically consider.

The "Alien God" Concept

Biglino challenges the classic idea of God as an all-powerful, all-knowing, and purely spiritual presence. He suggests that this image of God may actually be more about two thousand years of theological storytelling than the real-life experiences that inspired the birth of various religious beliefs.

The term "alien," as used by Biglino, is explored in its broader etymological sense, meaning "foreign," "different," or "unknown." He suggests that this term might be more appropriate when discussing the beings described in ancient religious texts. The idea that God might be "alien" in the sense of being fundamentally different from the traditional theological conception is a central theme in the book. Biglino suggests that the "God" we know today might have little in common with the beings our ancestors encountered and interpreted as divine.

The Challenges of Independent Thinking

Biglino acknowledges that the ideas presented in the book may be challenging for many readers. He emphasizes the importance of independent thinking and the willingness to question long-held beliefs. He suggests that the reader must be open to new perspectives and be prepared for the possibility that their understanding of religion and history might be fundamentally altered by the arguments in the book.

He also discusses his personal journey as a Bible translator, noting that his willingness to question traditional interpretations led to conflicts with established religious institutions. He shares his experience working with Edizioni San Paolo, a major Catholic publisher, and how his doubts about certain biblical passages led to the end of their collaboration.

As we know from episode one, organizations that adhere to a specific worldview will defend it by dismissing, denying, and avoiding anything that presents an apparent contradiction with their worldview. Here, we can see that the publisher Edizioni San Paolo reacted in exactly this manner to Biglino’s findings.

Biglino uses ancient Hebrew manuscripts, such as the Stuttgartensia Bible and the Masoretic text of the Leningrad Codex, as the basis for his translations. He notes that he has tried to remain as faithful as possible to the original texts, even when this leads to interpretations that might be considered unorthodox or heretical by traditional religious standards.

Chapter 1: Discourse on Method

Biglino takes a bold stand against how we usually interpret religious texts in the Bible. Instead of looking at it through a theological lens, he suggests we read it literally and historically. His main point? The Bible, which many hold dear, has been twisted, mistranslated, and misunderstood over the years to fit different religious agendas. He urges us to approach it as if it's literally true, peeling back all the theological layers that have been added over time.

Cultural Guardianship and Ideological Control

Biglino explores the idea of "cultural guardianship," where institutions like universities and religious organizations hold the reins on knowledge and history. They do this by choosing what interpretations to share and promoting ideas that keep their power intact. This approach discourages fresh perspectives and shuts down any challenges to the way things are. By maintaining their own authority, these institutions block new ideas from taking root, even when those ideas could spark major breakthroughs in our understanding.

The Case of Heinrich Schliemann and the Bible

Biglino brings up Heinrich Schliemann, the man who found the legendary city of Troy, as a way to explain his take on the Bible. Schliemann struck archeological gold because he didn’t just accept what scholars of his day said—many considered Homer's tales to be nothing but fiction. Biglino believes that if we read the Bible in the same straightforward way, without all the theological layers piled on top, we might just discover some surprising truths about where it came from and what it really means.

Multiple Bibles, Multiple Traditions

Biglino points out that there are many versions of the Bible, each with its own quirks and interpretations. He explains that different religious traditions have their own collections of scriptures, with some books accepted by one group but tossed aside by another. For instance, the Catholic Old Testament has several books that the Jewish tradition doesn't recognize. On top of that, the Greek Orthodox Church relies on the Septuagint, which is quite different from the Masoretic text that Jewish and Protestant groups use. Biglino argues that these variations shake the idea of the Bible being one solid book with a single, clear message.

Pretending the Bible is True

Biglino concludes his methodology with the intriguing suggestion to "pretend" that the Bible is literally true. He knows this might sound a bit out there, but he insists it's the best way to honestly explore the text. By taking this approach, readers can dive into the Bible on its own terms, free from the twists and turns of centuries of religious interpretation. Biglino believes this method could unlock fresh insights into the Bible and shake up long-held beliefs that have influenced religion for thousands of years.

Chapter 2: Elohim

Introduction: The Ambiguity of Elohim

Mauro Biglino kicks off the chapter by questioning the traditional understanding of the term "Elohim" in the Bible. He takes on the widely held belief that "Elohim" merely signifies "God" in a singular sense, especially the monotheistic deity of Judaeo-Christian theology. Instead, he dives into the intricacies and uncertainties surrounding the term, highlighting that the original Hebrew usage of "Elohim" is anything but simple and can be interpreted in a variety of ways.

Biglino points out that ancient languages can be quite tricky because of the specific cultures and histories behind them. Understanding words like "Elohim" can be a puzzle, since we can only gather part of their meaning from the texts alone. He emphasizes that translators and interpreters have long struggled with this term, and the exact meaning is still something of a mystery.

What "Elohim" Means

Biglino explores the various interpretations of the term “Elohim” found in biblical Hebrew dictionaries and by scholars. These meanings include “rulers,” “judges,” “gods,” “superhuman beings,” “angels,” “children of God,” “mighty ones,” “deity,” and “those from above.” He highlights how this extensive range of interpretations makes it difficult to arrive at a clear-cut definition for “Elohim.”

Moreover, Biglino points out that “Elohim,” usually translated as “God” in traditional texts, actually has plural implications. He questions whether the term is meant to describe a single divine entity or a group of beings. This confusion, he argues, is further complicated by the use of singular and plural verbs with “Elohim” in the Hebrew Bible. Furthermore, “Elohim” is often combined with an article. In Hebrew, the article makes no distinction between singular and plural. Therefore, it could be translated as either “the god” or “the gods,” and this article often precedes the term “Elohim,” which indicates that “Elohim” is not a proper name but rather a designation of an individual within a larger group.

The Plurality of Elohim

Biglino presents evidence from various biblical passages that suggest “Elohim” refers to a plurality of individuals rather than a singular entity. He first cites Genesis 6:1-2.

"When human beings began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, the sons of the Elohim saw that the daughters of the-Adam were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose."

Note the proper use of the article “the” before “Elohim.” If “Elohim” truly means the one and only God, then it would be inappropriate to say “the God” as opposed to other gods.

Elohim and Yahweh

Biglino challenges the traditional theological interpretation that equates Yahweh with the singular God. He argues that the biblical text often distinguishes between Yahweh and other Elohim, suggesting that Yahweh is not the only divine being. Genesis 31:53 states:

"May the Elohim of Abraham and the Elohim of Nahor, the Elohim of their father, judge between us."

This verse clearly shows that Abraham’s family was divided and that they followed and worshiped different Elohim.

This distinction becomes even more apparent when examining the interactions between Yahweh and other Elohim in various biblical stories. Biglino points out that the Bible often portrays Yahweh as interacting with or competing against other Elohim, further supporting the idea that “Elohim” refers to a group of beings rather than a singular God.

What is his name?

In Exodus 3:12-15, Elohim speaks to Moses. After listening to what he is told, Moses is unsure about who is speaking to him, which is rather odd. Here is the verse:

"Behold, I go to the Israelites and say to them, "The Elohim of your fathers has sent me to you," and they will ask me, "What is his name?" What will I answer then."

Biglino’s follow-up questions about these verses demonstrate the problem with translating “Elohim” as a singular God. He states:

"If the Elohim of the fathers was one, how could Moses have doubts?

If the term Elohim is always Yahweh-God in the singular, how could Moses, the greatest of all prophets, have doubts about his identity?

If the Elohim of the fathers was the one and only "God," how could the Israelites have doubts about his identity?"

Throughout this chapter, Biglino quotes verses not only from Genesis and Exodus but also from Deuteronomy, Joshua, Kings, and Jeremiah. He presents the context of each quote and then poses his questions, which reveal the fundamental problem with treating the word “Elohim” as a singular God.

Counting the Elohim

Biglino lists twenty-three specific instances in the Old Testament where particular members of the Elohim are either indirectly or directly referenced. In four cases, they are actually named: Chamosh, who ruled over the Moabites; Milkom, who ruled over the Ammonites; Astarte, who ruled over the Sidonians; and Rimmon, who ruled over Damascus. Biglino’s comments on this list provide further insight into the issue.

"Given a large number of Elohim mentioned in the Bible, present and active in a relatively small area, is it surprising that the term has a plural ending to refer to the group or the actions of the group as a whole?"

Are the Elohim Immortal?

In a word, no. Biglino states that immortality is not a concept that can be found in the Old Testament and it does not apply to the Elohim. As proof he references Psalm 82: 6-7.

"I said, "You are Elohim; you are all sons of Elyon. But you will die like Adam; you will fall like every other ruler."

Conclusions

Biglino provides several conclusions, among which the following offer the most insight into the nature of the Elohim.

"The Elohim did not concern themselves with issues such as religion in the modern sense of the word, spirituality, or life after death. Their goal was to define the power structures in the various territories where different civilizations were developing.

The Elohim were legislators: they dictated rules and regulations with full decision-making autonomy.

The Elohim were governors: they took care of the many aspects of power; they enforced the laws directly or through their agents and delegates, such as Jethro, Moses and so on.

The Elohim were judges: they controlled the observance of the laws, imposed and enforced punishments or had them enforced.

Buy Gods of the Bible on Amazon.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The next episode, number 3 - Gods of the Bible by Mauro Biglino, Part 2, continues with a look at other mistranslated words in the Bible.

Each episode of SIOM builds on the previous ones. Therefore, it is in your best interest to start with episode one and proceed through all the episodes in order by episode number.

Episode 1 - First Principles for Solving the Worldview Puzzle

Subscribe to receive automatic notifications of future postings.

If you prefer to listen in audio format SIOM is available on Spotify.

If you prefer to watch in video format SIOM is available on YouTube.

Follow Splinters In Our Minds on

X

Facebook

Join us on Patreon.

A monthly subscription is only $6 and you get:

1. Index of content - title, release date, order by main numbering as well as by thread and sub-thread name and numbering.

2. Discord forum and Q&A sessions.

3. Access to prior and current versions of SIOM WorldView summary which is kept updated as more content is released.