The Scientist forms a hypothesis based on observation then searches for facts that destroy the hypothesis.

The Theist forms a hypothesis based on faith then searches for facts that support the hypothesis.^TM

by

Marc W. Andersen, Ph.D.
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About this site

As a scientist I spent my entire life studying, generating, analyzing, and summarizing data in technical documents, so the prospect of retiring this skill after 30 years was difficult. What better way to apply myself as I get closer to my maker than the study of scripture? I figured it can’t hurt right? The result is this ‘work in progress’ starting with Genesis. God willing other books and topics will follow.

About my beliefs and methods. I am not here to judge if the world was made in 5 billion years or if its creation date was 4004 BC per James Ussher, 3761 BC according to the Hebrews, or any of the other dozens of dates proposed. My analysis will not judge if giants once roamed the earth or if Methuselah really did live to age 969. I am not a theologian and I do not speak Arabic, Greek, or Hebrew, and do not expect to contribute anything not already addressed by theologians, scholars, rabbis, or current and ancient historians who dedicated entire lives to understanding scripture. I commit here instead to accept the words as I accept the principals of science. To read, study, analyze, compare view points, and present the arguments on each side and the prevailing positions. My intent is thus to SUPPLEMENT and FACILITATE the understanding of the Old Testament and not SUBSTITUTE. My hope is that my hover notes and supplemental content will aid readers new to scripture, as I was, and at minimum reduce the number of interruptions I have had during my readings to look up all the 'strange' 'new' words like Teraphim or Nephilim. Finally, my website does not benefit from millions of viewers like Wiki ensuring information is highly vetted and true to its original referenced source. I therefore ask to use caution in reusing any content from this site for educational purposes. This is a fluid project and I humbly remain open to changes from those who know a lot more than I do.  Please feel free to contact me at my e-mail at the bottom of page.

Methods and Sources

The work here is of the Old Testament and its related biblical and extra biblical topics. At current only Genesis is completed. Since I chose to honor the Hebrew Masoretic Text [the same source used for the The King James Bible Old Testament] there is an unavoidable Hebrew leaning in interpretation which includes midrash sources. When I find different prevailing view points from other sources I try to include them. My apologies as I can’t always include Muslim, Church of Latter Day Saints, or all views on a particular topic. I consider them no less important. Regarding references [and the lack thereof]. In a perfect world, and if I could live until age 969 like Methuselah, I would have taken the time to include primary reference sources from the sites I copied and used as Wikipedia does. Those interested in the primary references can quicky copy and paste the text in question and find it themselves. For the HOVER notes I am limited to 1080 characters thus need to be selective and omit words that don’t in my opinion directly contribute to meaning like long references.  

List of Primary Sources

1)   The Complete Jewish Bible with Rashi Commentary

https://www.chabad.org/library/bible_cdo/aid/8165

Rashi: Shlomo Yitzchaki (Hebrew: רבי שלמה יצחקי‎; Latin: Salomon Isaacides; French: Salomon de Troyes, 22 February 1040 – 13 July 1105), today generally known by the acronym Rashi, was a medieval French rabbi, the author of comprehensive commentaries on the Talmud and Hebrew Bible.

2)   Wikipedia

3)   Jewish Encyclopedia Unedited 1906 Version

https://www.jewishencyclopedia.com

4)   Catholic Encyclopedia

https://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/

5)   Non scripture sources such 1 Enoch, Jubilees, and other Pseudepigrapha

6)   Other Internet Sources

While biblical terms are defined directly in the [Genesis] chapters by hover notes or end of chapter commentary, the many non-biblical theological terms, such as Apocrypha, Pseudepigrapha, Midrash, 'Rashi', Targum Pseudo-Jonathan [western targum (translation) of the Torah (Pentateuch) from the land of Israel] as opposed to the eastern Babylonian Targum Onkelos, Septuagint and Masoretic texts,  are covered in the "Other Topics" link above.