X X 1 1
The Tower in Genesis 11: The Tower in Genesis 11: built in direct opposition to God: built in direct opposition to God: 1) The builders wanted a tower, the top of which could reach “unto heaven” (see Genesis 1:20). 2) The building was a great tower for a reason: the flood had taken place relatively recently. Were they doubting God’s words about not flooding the X X earth again? (Genesis 9:11, 15). 3) The builders wanted to make themselves “a name”. This was all about self glorification. Note the use of “us” and “we” in verse 4. 4) The builders wanted to avoid being scattered. The city was to be established. This was a monument to the greatness of man. 2 2
The Tower of Babel, The Tower of Babel, by Peter Bruegel, (1563) by Peter Bruegel, (1563) 3 3
X X 4 4
X X “The Mesopotamian ziggurats were not places for public worship or ceremonies. They were believed to be dwelling places for the gods.” (Wikipedia) 5 5
A Ziggurat at the site of the ancient city of A Ziggurat at the site of the ancient city of Ur, built approximately 2000 BC Ur, built approximately 2000 BC X X 6 6
The remains of ancient ziggurats, located near Susa, in modern day Iran X X 7 7
Ziggurat , Susa, Iran. Ziggurat , Susa, Iran. X X 8 8
The tallest building in The tallest building in the world, 2008 the world, 2008 “Burj Dubai” Burj Dubai” “ Location: Dubai, Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates Due for completion: 30 Due for completion: 30 X June 2009 June 2009 X Total height (26 (26 Total height September 2008): 2220 2220 feet feet September 2008): Blackpool Tower is 518 Blackpool Tower is 518 feet feet Eiffel tower is 1063 feet Eiffel tower is 1063 feet 9 9
The ancient city of Babylon, The ancient city of Babylon, straddling the river Euphrates straddling the river Euphrates Ziggurat Ziggurat X X 10 10
X X 11 11
The ruins of Babylon today The ruins of Babylon today X X 12 12
How can we be sure the events in How can we be sure the events in Genesis 11 really happened? Genesis 11 really happened? If events took place approximately 2500 BC, what would have happened by 2000BC? • Those whose languages had been Those whose languages had been confounded would have recorded the events confounded would have recorded the events X X that took place at Babel in their own historical own historical that took place at Babel in their annals. annals. • We would expect to read of different e would expect to read of different W names, with a degree of variation/ names, with a degree of variation/ exaggeration, but an event of this magnitude exaggeration, but an event of this magnitude would HAVE to be recorded. would HAVE to be recorded. 13 13
Historical evidence Historical evidence for the Genesis record (1) for the Genesis record (1) Babylon: Babylon: “… the land Martu … the people in unison …then Enki, the leader of the gods, changed the speech in their mouths, X X brought contention into it, into the speech of man that until then had been one.” (translation from "The Babel of Tongues: A Sumerian Version" by Kramer, S.N., Journal of the American Oriental Society 88:108-11,1968) 14 14
Historical evidence Historical evidence for the Genesis record (2) for the Genesis record (2) Central America: Central America: “And as men were thereafter multiplying they constructed a very high tower in order to protect themselves when again the second X X world should be destroyed. At the crucial moment their languages were changed, and as they did not understand one another, they went into different parts of the world.” (Reference: Don Fernando de Alvara Ixtlilxochitl, Obras Historicas Mexico, 1891, Vol. I, p. 12.) 15 15
Historical evidence Historical evidence for the Genesis record (3) for the Genesis record (3) Polynesia: Polynesia: “But the god in anger chased the builders away, broke down the building, and changed their language, X X so that they spoke divers tongues.” (Reference: R. W. Williamson, Religious and Cosmic Beliefs of Central Polynesia Cambridge, 1933, vol. I, p. 94.) 16 16
Historical evidence Historical evidence for the Genesis record (4) for the Genesis record (4) American Indian, Crow: American Indian, Crow: "Then Little Coyote did something bad. He suggested to Old Man that he give the people different languages so they would X X misunderstand each other and use their weapons in wars... Old Man did what Little Coyote said, and the people had different languages and made war on each other." (Reference: Jane Garry and Carl Rubino , Facts About the World's Languages H.W. Wilson, 2001) 17 17
The Language Barrier: a problem The Language Barrier: a problem which mankind cannot solve which mankind cannot solve • Approximately 6000 known languages are currently used world-wide • It is estimated that only 100 of these are used by 95% of the world’s population X X • Esperanto (universal language) has never really taken off • In many ways, men and women are the same the world over, but not in the way we speak. Mankind has no explanation for this phenomenon, but the Bible has! 18 18
The European Union: The European Union: The Beginnings The Beginnings • The end of WW2 prompted the initial idea of a united Europe. • In 1946, Winston Churchill called for a X X United States of Europe and Council of Europe. The latter was established in Strasbourg, NE France, on 5 May 1949. • This led on to the Treaty of Paris (1951), signed by France, Italy, Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg. 19 19
The signing of the Treaty of Rome, in 1957, The signing of the Treaty of Rome, in 1957, Which resulted in the creation of the Which resulted in the creation of the European Economic Community (EEC). European Economic Community (EEC). X X 20 20
1973: 1973: The community welcomed in Denmark, Ireland & UK. 1979: 1979: First direct elections to the European X X Parliament held. 1985: 1985: The Schengen Agreement was developed, allowing the abolition of border controls between the participating countries. 21 21
1986: 1986: The European Flag was adopted, and leaders signed the Single European Act. 1 November 1993: 1 November 1993: X X The Maastricht Treaty was formally established, leading to the creation of the European Union. 22 22
1999: 1999: The Amsterdam Treaty came into force, giving more The Amsterdam Treaty came into force, giving more power to the European Parliament and the beginnings of power to the European Parliament and the beginnings of a common foreign and security policy. a common foreign and security policy. 2004: 2004: The European Constitution was signed in Rome, though The European Constitution was signed in Rome, though it was never fully ratified after rejection by French and it was never fully ratified after rejection by French and Dutch voters. Dutch voters. X X 2007: 2007: It was agreed to replace that proposal with a new reform It was agreed to replace that proposal with a new reform treaty. treaty. 23 23
The EU Reform Treaty The EU Reform Treaty Signed: 13 December Signed: 13 December 2007, Lisbon 2007, Lisbon • Will create new European Council president X X • New foreign policy supremo to increase EU profile • Will remove national vetoes in around 50 key policy areas • Voting weights between member states to be redistributed 24 24
1 January 2002: The Euro came into use. It is now the currency of the following 15 countries: • Austria Austria • Belgium Belgium • Cyprus Cyprus • Finland Finland X X • France France • Germany Germany • Greece Greece • Ireland Ireland • Italy Italy • Luxembourg Luxembourg • Malta Malta • The Netherlands The Netherlands • Portugal Portugal • Slovenia Slovenia • Spain Spain 25 25
European Parliament Building, Strasbourg European Parliament Building, Strasbourg X X 26 26
The European The European Parliament meets Parliament meets in two locations: in two locations: 1) Brussels, Belgium 1) Brussels, Belgium 2) Strasbourg, 2) Strasbourg, X X North Eastern France North Eastern France Strasbourg is the seat of the council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights 27 27
X X 28 28
The EU's "Parliament" Building in Strasbourg has been deliberately designed to represent the Tower of Babel, being modeled on the famous painting by Peter Bruegel. The building is complete and in use, but is made to look unfinished, even having ringed X X “What they What they “ platforms around it to represent scaffolding, indicating that their failed to complete failed to complete work is not yet complete. 3000 years ago – 3000 years ago – When asked by a secular journalist ‘Why the Tower of we in Europe we in Europe Babel?’ an EU official replied: will finish now .” .” will finish now 29 29
The EU Parliament building in Strasbourg, modelled on Peter Bruegel’s Tower of Babel 30 30
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