A Virtual File Cabinet for Our Studies of Christian Origins & Hebraic Faith
This post stems from a comment by Sean Freyne in a BAR article included in a post on this site here. Key takeaways are: Prompts are: Initial Prompt: Herod changed the high priesthood. He got rid of the Hasmoneans [the previous Jewish rulers] and brought in replacement high priests from outside, from Egypt and from […]
Continue Reading8/21/2026 – This post contains a ChatGPT response about the hypothesis that Onias III or IV was the Teacher of Righteousness in the Qumran scrolls Prompt – Which critical bible scholars propose that Onias III or IV was the Teacher of Righteousness in the Qumran scrolls? Cite all sources in line. Yes. There are critical […]
Continue ReadingThis post contains a question/response from Tabor’s new Circle site, and below that extract is a Claude.ai Prompt/Response. 6/23/2026 – OP’s Question: What are some thoughts out there about the thought that the Maccabees heavily redacted Deuteronomy to support their legitimacy? Response by Annette Cloutier Sean, this is a fascinating line of inquiry. The Hasmoneans/Maccabeans […]
Continue ReadingMargaret Mowczko’s post provides an insightful perspective on the famous story. Claude.ai prepared the following summary of her article. Here is a summary of Marg Mowczko’s views in her January 2026 article “My Two Cents on the Widow’s Mites”: The Traditional Reading Is Wrong Marg argues that the point many people take from this story […]
Continue ReadingFrom ChatGPT on 7/14/2025. Prompt: In ancient Israel and Judah, what did the priests do with the body of the sacrificed animals? Cite all sources. [Below the response is a Follow-up Prompt – How did the priest make money from the skins and meat? Cite all sources.] In ancient Israel and Judah, the treatment of […]
Continue ReadingFrom Claude.ai on 2/12/2025. Prompt: Provide information critical bible scholars offer about the transition from the priesthood first located in Shechem and later moving to Shilo in ancient Israel. Cite all sources. I (Claude.ai) want to be upfront that while I can discuss what biblical scholars have written about the transition of priesthood from Shechem […]
Continue ReadingJump to the table comparing the four. Shechem – SHEE-kehm From OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com. 11/25/2024. Prompt – Explain the differences, context and dates between the Aaronide, Zadokite, Shilo, and Shechem worship and priesthood in ancient Israel. Cite sources in a list at the end and any scripture from the ASV. The […]
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