The Jesus Way Podcast - Discussion on Christspiracy and the Moses Scroll

Participants

• Host: Aaron Abke
• Co-host: James Benao
• Guest: Kameron Waters (of Christspiracy)

Topics Covered

Introduction

• New studio setup for the podcast.
• Introduction of Kameron Waters and his film, Christspiracy.

Christspiracy Film

• Kameron’s background: Family of pastors, gospel singers, and involvement in gospel music.
• Transition into filmmaking while questioning the system of animal sacrifices.
• Discovery of the film’s central question: “What would Jesus do about killing animals?”
• Christspiracy challenges the notion of animal sacrifices in religion and its continuity in modern systems.
• Netflix interest in the film but wanted to censor parts; filmmakers chose independent release.
• Features world’s largest public animal sacrifice festival in Nepal.

Biblical Context

• Josephus’ writings on animal sacrifices in the temple during Passover.
• Criticism of animal sacrifices by prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah.
• Jeremiah’s claim: God never commanded sacrifices; the lying pen of the scribes altered the scriptures.

The Moses Scroll

• Discovery by Moses Shapira in the 1800s; faced skepticism and accusations of forgery.
• Circumstances of Shapira’s death and later validation by Dead Sea Scrolls discoveries.
• The Moses Scroll lacks references to animal sacrifices and includes the Ten Commandments.
• Potential alignment with Jeremiah’s hidden law.

Implications and Early Christianity

• The Moses Scroll supports the idea that original Jewish law did not include animal sacrifice.
• Early Jewish Christians (ebionites, nazarenes, and scenes) rejected sacrifices and practiced vegetarianism.
• Jesus’ teachings and actions criticized the sacrificial system, notably during his temple cleansing.
• The Catholic Church’s historical suppression of these teachings and texts.

Spiritual Teachings and Nonviolence

• Parallel to modern systems of oppression and profit (e.g., Big Pharma analogy).
• Spiritual teachings emphasize nonviolence, love for all creatures, and righteousness.
• The importance of returning to the spiritual laws of Moses and living a life of compassion.
• Jesus’ connection to Melchizedek and the symbolism of bread and wine over sacrifice.

Conclusion

• The film Christspiracy sheds light on historical and modern implications of animal sacrifices and spirituality.
• Encouragement to view Christspiracy and explore early Christian teachings.
• Emphasis on returning to teachings of love, compassion, and nonviolence as central to the faith.

Key Quotes

• “God never commanded sacrifices when he brought you out of Egypt.” - Jeremiah 7:22
• “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” - Hosea 6:6, quoted by Jesus.
• “My house shall be a house of prayer for all nations, but you have made it a den of thieves.”

Closing Notes

• The discussion offers a richer understanding of early Christianity and challenges conventional narratives about religious practices involving sacrifice.