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The Origin of Religions
256 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 24, 2022
I received this book from my girlfriend apparently so she could hear my opinion on the book. A single sentence alone would not do justice to the potential reader. Let me begin with the commendations:
I thank Dr. Hwang for the painstaking research that he must have undertaken in writing this book. Dr. Hwang does a great job of demonstrrating in a detailed way how many pagan religions and practices are traceable to the anceint Babylonian religious system of the worship of Nimrod, Semiramis and Tammuz—the mother-child cult of Roman Catholicism, the moon and star adoration in Islam, along with a host of many others.
Throughout the book, Dr. Hwang argues that this is a prophetic fulfillment of Gen. 3:15 which states, “ And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” This is where I begin to part ways with Dr. Hwang. I find his interpretation dubious, though it is the cornerstone of his book. He seems to recognize this problem and from pages 21 to 23 mentions three interpretations of this verse including his. However, he stops only at that and does not go ahead to explain why he thinks his is the correct one. He only simply states, “the author would like to write this book under the assumption of the third interpretation by religious-historical interpretation [his interpretation],” and then moves on. This is an argument by assertion which I don’t find convincing at all.
Dr. Hwang also takes the very rash step of attempting to predict when human history as we know it will come to an end. Without biblical justification other than that God’s perfect number is 7, he predicts that God has predestined human history (as we know it today) to last 7000 (That leaves us with about 1000 years taking into consideration that around 6000 years have already passed). Following Dr. Hwang’s logic, I don’t understand why it cannot be 70,000 or 700,000 or 7,000,000. I believe Dr. Hwang would protest those figures but that is exactly the absurdity his logic leads to. But worse than that, Dr. Hwang's attempt seems to contradict Jesus' clear and unambiguous statements concerning the unpredictability of the exact timing of his coming. Jesus could even come right now before you complete reading this sentence. As one writer would put it, Dr. Hwang's view comes perilously close to saying, “my lord delayeth his return.” Dr. Hwang ought to know better.
Dr. Hwang also throughout the book presupposes the concept of predestination—a concept I also believe to be true—but does not go further to give reasons why he believes it to be true. Given the controversies surrounding the doctrine, Dr. Hwang ought to have dedicated a substantial amount of pages to defending it’s truthfulness, but he doesn’t even attempt to do so. As if that is not enough, Dr. Hwang seems to contradict this doctrine on page 202 when he suggests that a Christian’s salvation can be canceled. If God predestines some to be saved, how then is it possible for them to lose their salvation. That would make God’s predestination of no effect. My understanding which is also the standard reformed position is that He that predestines the elect has them safe in the palms of his hands from which no devil can snatch them (eternal security). But that is not the end of Hwang’s self-assassinations.
On page 46 Dr. Hwang asserts that the Africans descended from Ham, the Asians from Shem, and the Europeans from Japheth. On the same page however, perhaps because of forgetfulness, Dr. Hwang states that some of the descendants of Ham settled in Arabia (the middle east) including Iraq where they set up a kingdom under Nimrod, a descendant of Ham. As far as my understanding goes, the inhabitants of those regions are definitely not Africans.
Dr. Hwang also repeatedly throughout his book emphasizes that “Jehovah God” is Jesus. While I believe this is true, his over repetition without clarifying that the Father too and the Holy Spirit are Jehovah and that They are a trinity may mislead the reader into thinking that Dr. Hwang holds to a modalistic view of the Godhead, a view I believe Dr. Hwang does not hold.
Dr. Hwang also charges Augustine of Hippo, one of the most revered theologians in church history for leading in the introduction of the mother-Mary cult into the Church (p. 107). He however does not cite even a single authority to support this accusation. With no sources to support his view, believing him would contradict Paul's instruction not to receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses (1 Tim. 5:19). But Dr. Hwang does not stop there.
He also flaunts the same charge against the Council of Chalcedony—the Council that gave us one of the most affirmed creeds of the church by Catholics and Protestants alike—the Chalcedonian Creed (451 AD). Such a big accusation calls for evidence and citation of sources but Dr. Hwang seems unaware of that.
In conclusion, I find this book terribly wanting. A Scholar of the caliber of Dr. Hwang ought to be responsible with his words and diligently provide adequate support and evidence especially for controversial and blatant accusations of the like that Dr. Hwang makes. My hope and prayer is that a revision to this book be made, but as for now, I wouldn't recommend this book to anybody.
I thank Dr. Hwang for the painstaking research that he must have undertaken in writing this book. Dr. Hwang does a great job of demonstrrating in a detailed way how many pagan religions and practices are traceable to the anceint Babylonian religious system of the worship of Nimrod, Semiramis and Tammuz—the mother-child cult of Roman Catholicism, the moon and star adoration in Islam, along with a host of many others.
Throughout the book, Dr. Hwang argues that this is a prophetic fulfillment of Gen. 3:15 which states, “ And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” This is where I begin to part ways with Dr. Hwang. I find his interpretation dubious, though it is the cornerstone of his book. He seems to recognize this problem and from pages 21 to 23 mentions three interpretations of this verse including his. However, he stops only at that and does not go ahead to explain why he thinks his is the correct one. He only simply states, “the author would like to write this book under the assumption of the third interpretation by religious-historical interpretation [his interpretation],” and then moves on. This is an argument by assertion which I don’t find convincing at all.
Dr. Hwang also takes the very rash step of attempting to predict when human history as we know it will come to an end. Without biblical justification other than that God’s perfect number is 7, he predicts that God has predestined human history (as we know it today) to last 7000 (That leaves us with about 1000 years taking into consideration that around 6000 years have already passed). Following Dr. Hwang’s logic, I don’t understand why it cannot be 70,000 or 700,000 or 7,000,000. I believe Dr. Hwang would protest those figures but that is exactly the absurdity his logic leads to. But worse than that, Dr. Hwang's attempt seems to contradict Jesus' clear and unambiguous statements concerning the unpredictability of the exact timing of his coming. Jesus could even come right now before you complete reading this sentence. As one writer would put it, Dr. Hwang's view comes perilously close to saying, “my lord delayeth his return.” Dr. Hwang ought to know better.
Dr. Hwang also throughout the book presupposes the concept of predestination—a concept I also believe to be true—but does not go further to give reasons why he believes it to be true. Given the controversies surrounding the doctrine, Dr. Hwang ought to have dedicated a substantial amount of pages to defending it’s truthfulness, but he doesn’t even attempt to do so. As if that is not enough, Dr. Hwang seems to contradict this doctrine on page 202 when he suggests that a Christian’s salvation can be canceled. If God predestines some to be saved, how then is it possible for them to lose their salvation. That would make God’s predestination of no effect. My understanding which is also the standard reformed position is that He that predestines the elect has them safe in the palms of his hands from which no devil can snatch them (eternal security). But that is not the end of Hwang’s self-assassinations.
On page 46 Dr. Hwang asserts that the Africans descended from Ham, the Asians from Shem, and the Europeans from Japheth. On the same page however, perhaps because of forgetfulness, Dr. Hwang states that some of the descendants of Ham settled in Arabia (the middle east) including Iraq where they set up a kingdom under Nimrod, a descendant of Ham. As far as my understanding goes, the inhabitants of those regions are definitely not Africans.
Dr. Hwang also repeatedly throughout his book emphasizes that “Jehovah God” is Jesus. While I believe this is true, his over repetition without clarifying that the Father too and the Holy Spirit are Jehovah and that They are a trinity may mislead the reader into thinking that Dr. Hwang holds to a modalistic view of the Godhead, a view I believe Dr. Hwang does not hold.
Dr. Hwang also charges Augustine of Hippo, one of the most revered theologians in church history for leading in the introduction of the mother-Mary cult into the Church (p. 107). He however does not cite even a single authority to support this accusation. With no sources to support his view, believing him would contradict Paul's instruction not to receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses (1 Tim. 5:19). But Dr. Hwang does not stop there.
He also flaunts the same charge against the Council of Chalcedony—the Council that gave us one of the most affirmed creeds of the church by Catholics and Protestants alike—the Chalcedonian Creed (451 AD). Such a big accusation calls for evidence and citation of sources but Dr. Hwang seems unaware of that.
In conclusion, I find this book terribly wanting. A Scholar of the caliber of Dr. Hwang ought to be responsible with his words and diligently provide adequate support and evidence especially for controversial and blatant accusations of the like that Dr. Hwang makes. My hope and prayer is that a revision to this book be made, but as for now, I wouldn't recommend this book to anybody.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 29, 2023
Very good discovery and eye opening
March 30, 2025
It explains everything involving religion
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
May 10, 2025I came across this book many years ago, it's inspiring, but I haven't found follow up series
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews