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Exploring the Megiddo Mosaic Inscription

Dec 4, 2024

One God Report Podcast: Megiddo/Ligio Mosaic Floor Inscription

Introduction

  • Host: Bill Schlegel
  • Episode Title: The Megiddo or Legio Mosaic Floor Inscription, God with a capital G or God with a small g, Jesus Christ
  • Platform: Also available on YouTube with visual aids
  • Focus: Greek inscription from approximately 230 AD mentioning God, Jesus, and Christ found in Israel near ancient Megiddo (Legio)

Historical and Geographical Context

  • Location: Megiddo, northern-central Israel, strategic crossroads
  • Significance: Site occupied by the 6th Roman Legion around 200 years after Jesus' time
  • Landscape: Visible from the Jezreel Valley, near Nazareth and other biblical sites
  • Mosaic Discovery: Found in a modern prison's grounds in an ancient Roman building
  • Display: To be shown at the Bible Museum in Washington, D.C.

Description of the Inscription

  • Language: Greek
  • Date: Circa 230 AD
  • Structure: Six lines in Greek
  • Translation: "The God-loving Akeptus has offered the table to God, Jesus Christ, as a memorial."
  • Location of Find: In a room believed to be a prayer hall
  • Features: Geometric patterns and fish images on the mosaic

Archaeological Context

  • Discovery: Found where there were ovens and bread stamps, indicating a functioning Roman quarters
  • Mosaic Dimensions: Approximately 16 by 32 feet
  • Other Inscriptions: Include a centurion's name and women's names

Significance of the Inscription

  • Abbreviations: Sacred names abbreviated with lines over them
  • Earliest Examples: Suggests one of the earliest uses of such abbreviations
  • Title: "God Jesus Christ" not found in New Testament

Interpretations and Debates

  • Translation Variations: Could imply God, a memorial to Jesus Christ
  • Space and Line Overlap: Possible differentiation between God and Jesus Christ
  • Contextual Understanding: Modalism or secondary subordinate God?

Early Christian Thought

  • Modalism: Jesus as manifestation of one God
  • Subordination: Jesus as a secondary, subordinate God
  • Church Fathers’ Views:
    • Justin Martyr: Jesus as another God, subordinate to the Father
    • Tertullian: Jesus as derived from God, used "Trinitas" differently
    • Origen of Alexandria: Jesus as begotten, subordinate to the Father

Implications for Trinitarian Doctrine

  • Development: Over time, Jesus viewed as co-equal, co-eternal in Trinity
  • Challenges for Trinitarians: Early views do not align with later Trinity doctrine

Conclusion

  • Historical Evolution: Shift from small g to capital G understanding of Jesus' divinity
  • Resource Recommendations: Suggested readings and podcasts for further exploration

Additional Notes

  • Artifacts Found: Household gods of the Roman soldiers
  • Public Perception: Surprising openness of Christianity in Roman legion
  • Biblical Perspective: Differentiation between biblical Jesus and later interpretations

This note captures the detailed examination of the Megiddo mosaic inscription, its historical context, interpretations, and implications for early Christian thought and Trinitarian theology.

Full transcript