science and the Bible by Bolton Davidheiser, Chairman, Science Division, Biola College
“Seed, 'piceo cucci tu,mortaltty
o r s o m e t h i n g like 200 years peo ple of many countries believed that the decomposing flesh of cattle produced bees. The cause of this wide spread belief seems to have been the mistaking of drone flies for b e e s . Drone flies look so much like honey bees that the mistake in identity is still frequently made.* When people thought that dead cattle could become living bees it was natural that bees should become a symbol of resurrection and immortal ity, and it is known that initiates into the ancient religion of Mithraism wore figures of bees on their garments to signify rebirth and immortality. Most Christians have probably never heard of Mithraism, though at one time it was the chief rival of Chris tianity and its influence is still with us. The most important of the many festivals of Mithras was his birthday, “ celebrated on December 25, the day subsequently fixed — against all evi dence — as the birthday of Christ.” •(•Mithras was generally considered to be the sun or daylight, and hence his birthday was at the time of the winter solstice, when the days begin to get longer. ■ The bee as a symbol of their hope of immortality was based on a decep tion. Because of a resemblance in ap pearances they were deceived into believing that flies, which thrive on corruption, were bees which have an altogether different nature. We are told in scripture that Satan has the power to make himself appear as an angel of light. Those who are unable to discern his deceptions are in danger of basing their hopes of immortality on falsehood. Furthermore, the illus tration given here is a particularly fitting one because the word Beelze bub, a name of Satan, is said to mean, “ Lord of flies.” The most frequently cited formula for producing bees from cattle was in vogue at the very time that Christ was upon the earth. Among other specifications was the requirement that the ox whose flesh was to become bees must be beaten to death with clubs without the shedding of any blood. We know from the Bible that salvation and immortality in the pres ence of God can come only through the shedding of blood. The Hebrew
people were instructed by God how to make their atoning sacrifices through the shedding of animal blood, looking forward typically to the time when Christ would shed His blood, the final sacrifice, once for all time. Perhaps the most serious way in which paganism influenced Christian ity was the introduction of the idea of a repetition of Christ’s sacrifice in the Lord’s supper or communion. “ This theory can be traced to the influence of pagan custom. It seems likely that the change was partly due to the converts from the religion of Mithras.” § Cyprian in the third cen tury was the first to designate the elements of communion as objects of offering. He said that “ every celebra tion of the Lord’s supper is a repeti tion or imitation of Christ’s sacrifice of Himself, and that the ceremony has, therefore, an expiatory value.” In three-fourths of Christendom the elements of the communion table are even now “ offered” daily by priests as a sacrifice, and a spokesman of this belief said that it “ almost improves on Calvary.” The Cycylopedia of Bibli cal, Theological, and Ecclesiatical Literature says that the word “mass” is a technical term which “ designates the Eucharistic service which . . . is held to be the sacrifice of the new law — a real though unbloody offer ing, in which Christ is the victim, in substance the same with the sacrifice of the cross. It is instituted . . . in commemoration of that sacrifice, and as a means of applying its merits through all ages for the sanctification of men.” But the Bible says: . . . “We are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily minister ing and offering oftentimes the same sacrifice, which can never take away sins.” The sacrifice of Christ, offered once, is the only one that is efficacious. Read it in the tenth chapter of Hebrews. *The King’s Business, August, 1961 page 35. ■(•Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature. McClintock and Strong. SThe Contemporary R e v i e w . January, 1898. Page 89.
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W H A T SHALL I RENDER UNTO THE LORD?
Blessed and favored of God in countless ways beyond the dreams of most people, what shall we render unto the Lord for all His benefits? Can we continue to enjoy a rich measure of divine mercy without sharing His love with the afflicted, the helpless and the Christless? THE FRIENDS OF ISRAEL MISSIONARY AND RELIEF SOCIETY, INC., proclaims the redeeming love of Christ and serves His Jewish brethren in spiritual and physical need. Please help us make this labor of love a power ful witness for Christ among the Jews in Europe, Israel, India and across the North and South American continents. Your prayerful support is urgently needed. Write for free copy of the most challeng ing, informative and heartwarming mission ary publication, ISRAEL M Y GLORY. In gratitude to God for all His benefits I am sending enclosed $.............. ........ for your work among the Jewish people at home and abroad. Name ................................... ....................... Address ............................ ............................ City ....................... Zone ...... State ........... THE FRIENDS OF ISRAEL Missionary and Relief Society, Inc. <218 K Chestnut St., 7th fleer, Philadelphia 7 , Pa. Canada: Rev. Calvin H. Chambers 1009 Fourth Ave., New Westminster, B.C.
SEPTEMBER, 1961
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