Billy Carson’s book, The Emerald Tablets of Thoth, offers a compelling mix of ancient wisdom and modern metaphysics, yet it suffers from several critical flaws, especially in its treatment of biblical texts and historical claims. Below is a rebuttal to some of the key arguments presented in his work.
Misinterpretation and Twisting of Biblical Passages
Carson attempts to draw parallels between the teachings of Thoth and biblical passages, yet his approach to biblical exegesis is fundamentally flawed. Billy asserts that the teachings of Thoth are remarkably similar to the teachings of Jesus, but he overlooks key contextual differences. For instance, on page 50 Carson cites Thoth's statement:
"He who in courage would dare the dark realms, let him be purified first by long fasting. Lie in the sarcophagus of stone in my chamber. Then reveal I to him the great mysteries."
Carson links this to Luke 23:43 (Jesus' words to the thief on the cross, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise"). However, the connection between these two quotes is tenuous at best. Thoth's emphasis on purification through fasting and the sarcophagus has no direct parallel to the concept of salvation in Jesus' words, which is about forgiveness and redemption, not ritual purification through fasting. Carson is reading far too much into these texts without considering the time, context, and cultural backgrounds of each.
The Use of Reincarnation and Malachi’s Prophecy
One of Carson's main points is the idea that the Bible, especially through passages like Malachi 4:5-6, supports the concept of reincarnation. Carson references the prophecy of Elijah's return, but fails to address the true meaning of these verses. In Malachi 4:5-6, God speaks of sending Elijah before the "great and dreadful day of the Lord" to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children. Carson argues this indicates reincarnation, but the Bible does not suggest the literal reincarnation of Elijah. Instead, Matthew 11:14 clarifies that John the Baptist fulfills this prophecy as the "Elijah who was to come," further emphasizing that John is Elijah in a spiritual sense, not a literal reincarnation.
This misinterpretation continues when Carson suggests that reincarnation is a principle universally accepted in scripture, yet it’s important to note that reincarnation is not a central or widely accepted doctrine in Christianity. John 3:3 and 1 Corinthians 5:1 emphasize new birth and spiritual resurrection, not the cyclical rebirth of souls. Carson is overly focused on trying to fit a reincarnation narrative into the Bible, a concept that lacks clear biblical support.
Alchemical Texts and the Emerald Tablets: Conflating Sources
One of the more problematic aspects of Carson's argument is his assertion that the Emerald Tablets of Thoth are the original source from which the writers of the Bible borrowed much of their content. Carson suggests that many of the teachings attributed to Jesus were actually taken from Thoth, whose wisdom supposedly predates biblical texts by tens of thousands of years (36,000 years, according to Carson).
However, this assertion is deeply flawed for several reasons:
The Emerald Tablets Have Yet to Be Found: Carson's central claim that the Emerald Tablets of Thoth are ancient and preserved is speculative at best. As of today, no verified historical evidence exists to confirm the existence of these tablets. Many believe that the text was actually written much later than Carson claims, possibly drawing on a combination of myth, legend, and alchemical writings. Carson conflates these supposed "ancient" teachings with alchemical texts that arose much later, creating a distorted historical narrative. This should raise serious questions about the accuracy of his sources.
Misleading Comparisons with Biblical Texts: Carson presents side-by-side comparisons between the Bible and the Emerald Tablets, but these often feel more like cherry-picking of phrases that loosely resemble one another, rather than rigorous analysis. For instance, he points to Matthew 24:7, a verse that mentions nations rising against nations, and compares it to a similar phrase in the Emerald Tablets. While Carson highlights a similarity in wording, he neglects the broader context of these statements. Matthew 24:7 speaks to the end times, with natural disasters and social upheaval, while the quote from Thoth lacks the same apocalyptic context. To draw parallels in this way ignores the uniqueness of each text.
The Misuse of Pyramid Symbolism: Carson's attempt to link the pyramids to the spiritual teachings of the Emerald Tablets falls into the realm of conjecture. He claims that the word "pyramid" comes from Greek terms meaning "fire in the middle," which is inaccurate. The word "pyramid" comes from the Greek word pyramis, which likely referred to the shape of the structure, not its internal energy. Carson’s discussion of pyramids as "stargates" for pharaohs after death is similarly unsubstantiated, with no archaeological or historical evidence to support this theory. The pyramids were tombs, not portals for spiritual ascension.
Etymology and Symbolism: Regarding the etymology of the word "pyramid," Carson wrongly asserts that it means "fire in the middle" because he links it to supposed "bio-cosmic energy." This interpretation is not supported by linguistics or Egyptology. The actual Egyptian word for pyramid was per-em-hru, meaning "house of eternity," a far cry from Carson’s "fire" explanation. Relying on a misinterpretation of etymology to support metaphysical claims only weakens the argument, making it an unreliable foundation for any theological or philosophical discourse.
Scientific Knowledge and the Catholic Church
Carson's claim that the Church slowed the advancement of scientific knowledge (page 2) is another area where he misrepresents history. He points to the case of Giordano Bruno, who was executed by the Catholic Church. However, Bruno was not executed for his heliocentric views but for heretical doctrines such as his belief in pantheism and his challenge to the core tenets of Christianity. His death was a consequence of his theological views, not his scientific theories.
Conclusion
Billy Carson's book, while intriguing for those interested in mystical philosophies, misrepresents the relationship between the Emerald Tablets and the Bible. His attempts to draw parallels between Thoth and Jesus are built on shaky ground, lacking solid exegesis and context. The claims about reincarnation and alchemical influences on biblical texts overlook established Christian doctrine and historical scholarship. Furthermore, Carson's conflation of the Emerald Tablets with other alchemical and mystical writings, as well as his misuse of etymology, creates a distorted view of ancient wisdom that lacks substantial historical or linguistic backing. Without concrete evidence of the Emerald Tablets and a more thoughtful engagement with biblical texts, Carson’s conclusions remain speculative and unconvincing.