Difference between revisions of "History 8 Fifth Mountain Readings"

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Be sure to give a page number to help you locate a specific example. You will find several examples of each idea throughout the book. Give at least two examples per idea. Examples may be of the ideas OR what happens when the ideas break down. Try to find one example from the Hebrew point of view and one from the Phoenician point of view if possible.

We will be using the concepts from the role of Mythology and beliefs in a society as the basis of the questions.

1. Explain the inexplicable.

2. Justify an existing social system

3. Give basis of governments and legitimation of authority

In The Fifth Mountain, the basis for the government of Akbar is that the ruling class is divine and chosen by the gods. For example, the governor is the most respected man in the city. The people of Akbar know that “the governor was chosen by the gods and that he always made the wisest decision (p. 74).” However, Akbar’s mind changes as the Assyrian army increases each day. Nervous, they believe the governor is “more concerned with trade than with the army (p. 65),” and that “custom forbids our bringing to power someone more efficient (p. 78).” Custom cautions, “If the families anointed by the gods were removed from power, the consequences would be grave… everyone knew they were related to the divine families (p. 80).” However, the high priest displays his power at the public judgment of the Assyrian spy. He claims “It is I who keep you in power… I know sacrifices to appease the wrath of the gods, if we… replace the ruling family (p. 107).” In that threat, the high priest warns the governor that he has even more power because he can interpret, and therefore control the will of the gods. In this way, the governor’s legitimation of authority is that the gods chose him to rule; therefore, it would be a sin to remove a divine person from power.

-Courtney Jacobs

4. Account for a society’s rites and customs

5. llustrate moral principles

6. Basis of national identity

“National identity”- n. The depiction of a country as a whole, encompassing its culture, traditions, language, and politics.^[1]

National identity is the concept that countries have specific characteristics that separate them from others. By definition, national identity is based on culture, including religious traditions, languages and dialects, and political history. In The Fifth Mountain, there are several city-states that are defined by their national identity. Israel is depicted as a land with several features that separates it from the other nations. For a long time before the arrival of Jezebel, Israel’s religious tradition was monotheistic and unrelated to that of Baal and the gods of the Fifth Mountain. Israel also had a colorful political history, including the arrival of Ahab and Jezebel.

“After ascending to the throne, Jezebel had asked Ahab to replace the worship of the Lord with that of the gods of Lebanon,” (12).

Lebanon was also known throughout the Middle East for its deities of Baal and the other inhabitants of the Fifth Mountain. From a theological standpoint, Israel and Lebanon stood in great contrast because of this religious difference. This is an example of a characteristic determines national identity. Whereas Jezebel and Phonecia believed in Baal, Elijah and the prophets of Israel believed that, “Even in [they] felt pain, it must pass at once, and the Lord of Hosts would receive [them] in his bosom,” (20).^[2]

-Christian Maines

7. Thread that holds past and present together (Continuity)

8. Give some examples to show the development of religious thought in Elijah

9. What is the purpose of religion as seen by the Phoenician priest?

10. What is the purpose of religion as see by Elijah? Does this change? How? At first Elijah sees god as someone who “… doesn't…spare…those who love Him.”(pg.7). After the best archer in the kings army misses his shot and Elijah flees, something changes. As he talks to the crow one can see he is”…learning…the lesson…”(pg.24) of God, how he is everything, not just good or evil. After he climbs the Fifth Mountain and is met by an angel of the lord, he becomes fully enlightened and his views on religion change even more. He starts speaking to God and tries to do his bidding. He becomes a prophet to God and spreads his word to those around him. As the book progresses Elijah’s views of religion change and grow.

Sources: The Fifth Mountain -Hayden Simmons 11. Show the beauty of unity in human diversity

12. There is a controversy over writing at the heart of the story. What is that conflict?

13. What are the other reasons for conflict are there? Do these reasons still apply to modern times?

1. ↑ "National identity." Dictionary.com's 21st Century Lexicon. Dictionary.com, LLC. 26 Jan. 2013. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/national identity>.
2. ↑ Coelho, Paulo. The Fifth Mountain. New York: Harper, 2009. N. pag. Print. P.S.