Transcendent Discussion
2/19/2025 - Steven and I filmed a podcast reviewing issues for and against the divinity of the Book of Abraham: https://www.youtube.com/live/Z7PXg7boFoM?si=NavLKHd6o82areYI
Seth's Blog Link:
50 Issues with the Book of Abraham | TranscendentPhilosop
https://transcendentphilos.wixsite.com/website/forum/transcendent-discussion/50-issues-with-the-book-of-abraham
Steven's Blog Link:
The Many Contradictions of The Book of Abraham: https://stevesmilanich.wixsite.com/thissaintstheory/post/the-many-contradictions-of-the-book-of-abraham
One of Steven's most interesting arguments was based on an array of themes and details found within the Book of Abraham that seem to correspond to details found in other texts written about Abraham. It would be curious why different Abrahamic texts would agree if there wasn't some mutual connection or valid truth behind them.
I concluded that this would be a very powerful argument in my view if the following criteria could be met:
1. The texts that correspond to the Book of Abraham are not being cherry-picked (i.e. 90% of Abrahamic texts agree with BOA, not just 1%).
2. The texts are not merely fan-fiction or pseudepigraphal in nature.
3. The texts are consistent with historical evidence.
4. Joseph Smith would have no access to the themes of these texts.
I poked around on GPT to try to answer these questions. GPT largely views these texts as pseudepigraphal and not historical. GPT also thinks that there are a variety of narratives about Abraham, so it might not be impossible to accidentally write a story about Abraham that has the same themes as something already written about him. GPT also thinks that a lot of the themes in the Book of Mormon might be available in Joseph Smith's era, and perhaps these ideas circulated around in the theological groups surrounding Joseph Smith.
In reviewing the following, Steven seemed to be of the persuasion that GPT might be making some errors in the following analysis, so definitely do not trust the following to be accurate. But maybe it will be a jump-start for further investigation.
According to GPT 4o:
Fact-Check: Book of Abraham (BoA) Themes and Source Availability
BOA Themes Likely Available to Joseph Smith (With Publication Dates):
1. Abraham as an astronomer – Josephus' Antiquities of the Jews (1737), Book of Jasher (1829), Proclus’ Theology of Plato (1816).
2. Abraham’s opposition to idolatry – Book of Jasher (1829), Josephus (1737), Christian Writings on Islam (1700s–1800s).
3. Abraham being delivered from death – Book of Jasher (1829), Josephus (1737), Christian Writings on Islam (1700s–1800s).
4. Abraham teaching Egyptians – Josephus' Antiquities (1737), Bruce’s Travels to the Nile (1790).
5. Terah as an idolater – Book of Jasher (1829), Josephus (1737).
6. Abraham’s possession of ancient records – Ethan Smith’s View of the Hebrews (1825), biblical tradition of patriarchal record-keeping.
7. Famine in Abraham’s homeland – Book of Jasher (1829), biblical themes of famine (Genesis 12:10).
8. Abraham called God’s friend and recipient of blessings – Bible (Isaiah 41:8).
9. Pharaoh descended from Ham – Bible (Genesis 10:6).
10. Abraham instructed to say Sarah was his sister – Bible (Genesis 12:13).
11. Abraham connected to Noah – Bible (Genesis 11:10-26), Book of Jasher (1829).
12. Abraham making converts in Haran – Book of Jasher (1829), Christian Writings on Islam (1700s–1800s).
13. Abraham’s priesthood – Josephus (1737), biblical references to Abraham’s righteousness.
14. Founding of Egypt by Ham’s descendants – Bible (Genesis 10:6).
15. Believers as Abraham’s seed – Bible (Genesis 17:5, Galatians 3:29).
16. Plurality of Worlds Concept – Thomas Dick’s Philosophy of a Future State (1827).
17. Egyptian Knowledge and Mysticism – Freemasonic Texts (1717–1800s), Bruce’s Travels to the Nile (1790), John Greaves’ Pyramidographia (1646, 18th-century reprints).
18. Masonic & Occult Literature – Exposure through Freemasonry (1842) and earlier esoteric texts promoting ideas of Abraham as a mystic and astronomer.
19. Quranic and Islamic Traditions – Indirect exposure via Christian writings critiquing Islam, referencing Abrahamic themes like his rescue from fire.
BOA Themes Unlikely Available to Joseph Smith (With Publication Dates):
1. Pharaoh’s denial of priesthood due to lineage – Unique to Book of Abraham.
2. Specific Egyptian religious practices (e.g., human sacrifice - FALSE) – Detailed Egyptology emerged later in the 19th century.
3. Abraham’s age (62) when leaving Haran – Babylonian Talmud (English translation, 1896).
4. Abraham’s knowledge of premortal spirits – Apocalypse of Abraham (1897).
5. Council of gods in creation planning – Apocalypse of Abraham (1897), Kabbalistic texts like Zohar (late 19th century English translation).
6. Detailed cosmology (e.g., Kolob, hierarchical star systems) – Unique to Book of Abraham.
7. Abraham being bound for sacrifice (FALSE & BIASED) – Apocalypse of Abraham (1897).
8. Angel rescuing Abraham from sacrifice  (FALSE & BIASED)  – Apocalypse of Abraham (1897), Qur’an (1649 English translation, but less circulated).
9. Abraham sitting on Pharaoh’s throne – Babylonian Talmud (Sanhedrin 108b, 1896).
10. Pharaoh’s lineage traced through Canaan – Jubilees (1851).
11. Destruction of idols and altar – Qur’an (1649), Pseudo-Philo (Biblical Antiquities, 1826).
12. Earth having four quarters – Book of Jasher (1829), Zohar (late 19th century English translation).
13. Abraham’s use of the Urim and Thummim – Zohar (not available in English until late 19th century).
14. Abraham leaving behind his  own record – Jubilees (1851), Sefer Yetzirah (limited English access pre-1835).
15. Advanced creation planning and divine councils – Apocalypse of Abraham (1897), Zohar.
Summary:
• Pre-1835 (Available to Joseph Smith):
• Bible (1611)
• Josephus' Antiquities (1737)
• Book of Jasher (1829)
• Qur’an (1649, though less circulated)
• Freemasonic Texts (1717–1800s)
• Bruce’s Travels to the Nile (1790)
• Ethan Smith’s View of the Hebrews (1825)
• Thomas Dick’s Philosophy of a Future State (1827)
• John Greaves’ Pyramidographia (1646, reprinted in the 18th century)
• Christian Writings on Islam (1700s–1800s)
• Post-1835 (Unavailable to Joseph Smith):
• Apocalypse of Abraham (1897)
• Jubilees (1851)
• Babylonian Talmud (1896 English translation)
• Zohar (late 19th-century English translation)
• Sefer Yetzirah (limited English access pre-1835)
This analysis shows that while many BoA themes align with sources available in Joseph Smith’s time, complex cosmological and esoteric elements were derived from or align with texts not accessible to him. However, ideas from Freemasonry, esoteric traditions, early Egyptology, and Christian writings on Islam may have provided inspiration for some of the BoA's unique features.
Could Joseph Smith Have Known Other Abraham Texts?
Yes, Joseph Smith could have had access to many of these themes through multiple sources circulating in early 19th-century America. While some apocryphal Abrahamic texts (like the Apocalypse of Abraham) were not widely known at the time, similar themes existed in sources that Joseph Smith could have encountered. Key influences include:
• The Bible (KJV) – The core Abrahamic narrative, including the Tower of Babel and Abraham’s departure from Ur.
• Josephus’ Antiquities – Popular in early America, detailing Abraham’s astronomy knowledge and Egyptian interactions.
• Biblical Commentaries (Henry, Clarke) – Protestant expansions on Abraham’s rejection of idolatry and wisdom.
• The Book of Jasher (1829) – Stories of idol destruction, Abraham’s survival of a furnace, and interactions with Pharaoh.
• Masonic & Occult Literature – Abraham as a mystic and astronomer in Hermetic and Kabbalistic traditions.
• Christian Writings on Islam – Summaries of Quranic stories like Abraham’s rescue from fire.
Conclusion:
Many of the Book of Abraham’s themes were accessible in early 19th-century America through various sources. While this does not prove intentional borrowing, it highlights the cultural and religious atmosphere in which Joseph Smith could have formed or expanded the Abraham narrative without requiring access to ancient Egyptian documents.
Potential Influences Considered in the Fact-Check:
• Freemasonic traditions and esoteric literature.
• Early Egyptology works and travel accounts.
• Christian writings on Islam and Qur’anic Abraham narratives.
• Philosophical and speculative works on cosmology and lost records.
• Kabbalistic and Hermetic writings circulated in esoteric circles.
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SUMMARY OF THEMES FOUND IN THE BOA:
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1. Astronomy and Divine Knowledge:
• God reveals the structure of the cosmos (sun, moon, stars) to Abraham so he can teach others, particularly the Egyptians.
• Ancient sources (e.g., Eupolemus) describe Abraham as an instructor of astronomy to Egyptian priests, aligning with the Book of Abraham's account.
2. Abraham’s Conflict with Idolatry:
• Abraham opposes his father Terah’s idol worship and rejects Chaldean religious practices.
• Ancient texts corroborate that Terah was an idolater and that Abraham resisted these practices, leading to attempts on his life.
3. Abraham’s Deliverance and Divine Mission:
• Pharaoh attempts to sacrifice Abraham, but an angel intervenes, saving him—a story mirrored in ancient Egyptian and Near Eastern texts.
• Abraham is later granted priesthood authority and a divine mission to teach truth and astronomy.
4. Abraham’s Role as a Teacher:
• He teaches astronomy and spiritual knowledge to the Egyptians, consistent with ancient claims that Abraham shared scientific knowledge.
• Abraham is portrayed as a patriarch who disseminates divine wisdom across cultures.
5. Continuity of Ancient Records:
• The Book of Abraham claims he possessed ancient patriarchal records, learning from them and adding his own writings.
• Various traditions describe Abraham as a preserver of ancient wisdom, emphasizing his scholarly role.
6. Unique Biographical Details:
• The Book of Abraham includes details not found in Genesis, such as:
• Abraham’s age when leaving Haran (62 vs. Genesis' 75).
• A famine in Chaldea leading to Haran’s death.
• Pharaoh being a descendant of Ham and Canaan.
• Many of these details are found in apocryphal or obscure ancient texts, suggesting a broader ancient tradition about Abraham’s life.
7. The Founding of Egypt:
• The text details the Egyptian monarchy’s origins, linking Pharaoh’s lineage to Ham and Canaan, and noting that Pharaoh was denied priesthood authority.
8. Priesthood and Revelation:
• Abraham is depicted as the rightful heir to patriarchal priesthood authority, which he holds and uses to receive revelations.
• He uses tools like the Urim and Thummim and gains knowledge of creation and premortal spirits.
9. Cosmology and Creation:
• The Book of Abraham presents a cosmology where the earth has four quarters and describes God’s structured, planned creation process.
• Abraham is taught about the premortal existence of spirits and foreordination, themes that align with some Jewish mystical texts.
10. Rescue and Divine Favor:
• Throughout the text, Abraham is rescued by divine power—whether from idol worshipers or famine—highlighting God’s protection and Abraham’s chosen status.
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