The Origin of Brutal Regimes is Ancient History

“‘Violence is the common origin of all regimes. Life, discussion, and political choice occur only against a background of violence.’ ~ Maurice Merleau-Ponty (1908–1961), “Humanism and Terror”

Image: "The Legend of Sargon (The Goddess Ishtar Appears to Sargon, the Gardener's Lad)" By the contemporary artist, Edwin J. Prittie"

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I AGREE with Mr. Merleau-Ponty. Ever notice when most people speak of a regime they usually describe it as brutal? The use of violence is unrestrained and motivated by either the lust for power (control over a landmass and the people who live on it) and/or a desire for revenge (action required against some wrong done to them). The blood of innocents (and of some who are guilty) must be shed for the rise of the empire and must continue to be shed in defense of the realm.

People have free will and know the difference between good and evil. They choose evil. I blame Sargon. He started it. Many historians give him credit for being the first empire-builder.  I trace the origin of brutal regimes back to him.  He may be written in the historical records as The Great or The Magnificent but I say the man was nothing but a troublemaker and a hell-raiser.  (NOTE: Sharp contrast. Abraham never lifted a finger to build an empire or become ruler, yet he is the father of many nations. God called him out of the land that Sargon bathed in blood building his empire.)

The origin of brutal regimes may be ancient history, but sadly, brutal regimes still exist today all over the world.

• Do you have an opinion, one way or the other about, the Merleau-Ponty quote? (Or about my insightful and simplistic philosophical points of view?)

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Original Source

Links of Interest:

• Sargon of Akkad - Ancient History Encyclopedia
• The Legend of Sargon of Akkad - Ancient History Encyclopedia
• King Sargon of Akkad—facts and information \ National Geographic
• Abraham, the Patriarch
• Genealogy: Modern Day Arabs and Their Father Abraham | Express Yourself! | Medium

Bible Study: The Major Themes of Genesis

Probably an excellent way to study the Bible is to start at the beginning. That's what the word "Genesis" means. If you are a new student of biblical studies these notes should get you started.

THE MAJOR THEMES OF GENESIS

1. God had a plan to redeem all of humanity.

2. The beginning of God’s creation.

3. Temptation by Satan to sin.

4. Sin against the Lord; mankind’s disobedience.

5. God’s promise to Abram (Abraham)

6. Lives of holy men like Noah, Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph and how they walked before God.

7. God keeps His promises.



IMPORTANT EVENTS

• God created the heavens, the earth, and man; and made the Sabbath Day holy.

• Satan tempts God’s children, Adam and Eve, and they sin against the Lord, and are cast out of their first home.

• Noah preaches and warns people about the flood; builds the ark, the flood happens, and only eight souls survive (Noah’s family).

• Nimrod builds the Tower of Babel to reach the heavens and God confuses the language of the people to stop the work and they scatter upon the face of the earth.

• God calls Abram out of his homeland, the Ur of the Chaldees, promises to make of his seed a holy nation. 

Abraham's Seed:  God's Plan ~ God's Promise ~ God's Providence

BRIEF OUTLINE OF GENESIS

• Chapters 1 - 5:  Creation and the fall of man  
• Chapters 6-11 : 9:  Noah, the flood; Tower of Babel, and confusion of languages  
• Chapter 11: 10 – Chapter 36:  Lives of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 
• Chapter 37 – 50:  The story of Joseph and how God brought His people out of bondage to fulfill His promise to Abraham.
  
  

READ or LISTEN to the Book of Genesis Online

There are many sites on the Internet where you can read or listen to the books of the Bible free.

• If you want to read Genesis online, click here.
• If you want to listen, click audio.

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