Gilgamesh Immortal Read online

  There are however, several places that explain the concept of “uncovering a father’s nakedness” as a figurative idiom for having sexual intercourse with his wife.

  Bergsma and Hahn’s masterful article “Noah’s Nakedness and the Curse of Canaan (Genesis 9:20-27)” elucidated for me the notion that I used in my novel that Ham had forced maternal incest with his mother, Noah’s wife.[45] They explore the different scholarly explanations of “uncovering Noah’s nakedness” and disprove them: voyeurism, castration, and homosexual paternal incest. There are simply no references in the Bible anywhere that reinforce any of these interpretations.

  The only one that is reaffirmed and makes sense is that Ham’s uncovering his father’s nakedness was an idiom or euphemism for maternal incest.

  They explain that the definitions of uncovering nakedness in Leviticus 18 are tied to the practices of the Canaanites (sound familiar? Canaan is cursed?). And the Biblical text itself explains that in a patriarchal culture, uncovering a man’s nakedness was an expression that actually meant uncovering his wife’s nakedness.

  Leviticus 18:7–8

  You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father, which is the nakedness of your mother; she is your mother, you shall not uncover her nakedness. You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s wife; it is your father’s nakedness.

  Likewise, they explain, “Lev 18:14, 16; 20:11, 13, 21 all describe a woman’s nakedness as the nakedness of her husband.”

  They then prove that “seeing nakedness” and “uncovering nakedness” are equivalent phrases and are the usual expressions of sexual intercourse in the Holiness Code of Leviticus (18:6; 20:17). It could not be more explicit than Deuteronomy 27:20:

  Deuteronomy 27:20

  ‘Cursed be anyone who lies with his father’s wife, because he has uncovered his father’s nakedness.’

  Biblically, “uncovering a man’s nakedness” was an idiom for having sexual intercourse with his wife. What then of Shem and Japheth walking backward so as not to see Noah’s nakedness? Surely, this is not a reference to avoiding maternal incest, but a literal covering of Noah’s body with a cloak? In that case, the literal and the figurative collide in a metaphor of meaning. The authors explain the apparent incongruity this way:

  The brothers’ actions play on the broader meaning of the phrase. Not only did the brothers not “see their father’s nakedness” in the sense of having intercourse with him, but also they did not even dare to “see their father’s nakedness” in a literal sense. Where Ham’s act was exceedingly evil, their gesture was exceedingly pious and noble.[46]

  The final clincher to making sense of this bizarre passage is the curse of the son Canaan. Throughout Genesis 9, Ham is oddly and repeatedly referred to as the father of Canaan. It is a strange repetition that draws attention to itself and is finally climaxed with Canaan being cursed instead of Ham for Ham’s dirty deed. Well, if Canaan was the fruit of that illicit union of maternal incest between Ham and Emzara, it makes perfect sense within that culture that he is cursed. It may not sound kind to our modern ears, but it is perfectly consistent with that Biblical time period. Ham sought to usurp his father’s patriarchal authority through maternal incest which was “uncovering his nakedness.” The fruit of that action, the son Canaan, is a cursed man. And that cursed man is the forefather of a cursed nation.

  The writer of Genesis, whether Moses or a later editor, was clearly showing the origins of the evil curse on the land of Canaan that they were about to take from the Canaanites. Canaan was cursed to be a servant of the Shemites, or Semites of Israel, and that is a justification of their conquest of the Promised Land.

  In short, the Canaanites are the Seed of the Serpent at war with the Israelites, the Seed of the Woman, and they deserve to be dispossessed of their land by the God whom their ancestors rejected and by whom they were cursed. Of course, there is much more to the story than that, for there were giants in the land of Canaan as well, giants that were the descendants of the Nephilim, the original Seed of the Serpent. But you will have to wait for the novels Joshua Valiant and Caleb Vigilant to see how that all fits together.

  About the Author

  Brian Godawa is the screenwriter for the award-winning feature film, To End All Wars, starring Kiefer Sutherland. It was awarded the Commander in Chief Medal of Service, Honor and Pride by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, won the first Heartland Film Festival by storm, and showcased the Cannes Film Festival Cinema for Peace.

  He also co-wrote Alleged, starring Brian Dennehy as Clarence Darrow and Fred Thompson as William Jennings Bryan. He previously adapted to film the bestselling supernatural thriller novel The Visitation by author Frank Peretti for Ralph Winter (X-Men, Wolverine), and wrote and directed Wall of Separation, a PBS documentary, and Lines That Divide, a documentary on stem cell research.

  Mr. Godawa’s scripts have won multiple awards in respected screenplay competitions, and his articles on movies and philosophy have been published around the world. He has traveled around the United States teaching on movies, worldviews, and culture to colleges, churches and community groups.

  His book, Hollywood Worldviews: Watching Films with Wisdom and Discernment has been released in a revised edition from InterVarsity Press. His book Word Pictures: Knowing God Through Story and Imagination (IVP) addresses the power of image and story in the pages of the Bible to transform the Christian life.

  Find out more about his other books, lecture tapes and dvds for sale at his website www.godawa.com.

  Gilgamesh Immortal is the Third in a Series

  Sign up to Receive News and Updates of the Series with each New Volume!

  Sign up at:

  www.ChroniclesOfTheNephilim.com

  Watch the trailers, listen to the audio commercial, stay informed.

  Enoch Primordial is one chapter of the series saga Chronicles of the Nephilim, that charts the rise and fall of the Nephilim and just what their place is in the evil plans of the fallen sons of God called, “The Watchers.”

  Book 1, Noah Primeval, reveals the hero’s journey of Noah that leads to God’s first act of justice against this diabolical plan of the Watchers: The Deluge.

  The Prequel, or Lost Book 2, Enoch Primordial tells the forgotten story of the original descent of the Watchers on Mount Hermon and their introduction of the Nephilim into the created order.

  Book 3, Gilgamesh Immortal tells the story of the first Giant King after the Flood, Gilgamesh of Uruk and his epic search for eternal life.

  Read the rest of the series to discover just how far the Seed of the Serpent will go in its war on the Seed of Eve.

  BOOKS BY BRIAN GODAWA

  When Giants Were Upon the Earth: The Watchers, Nephilim, and the Biblical Cosmic War of the Seed By Brian Godawa

  The Appendices of the Chronicles of the Nephilim Together in One Book.

  The bestselling Biblical fantasy novel series Chronicles of the Nephilim has opened a door for Christian imagination and theology like none other. But many have appreciated the appendices of each novel as much as the novels. In those appendices, author Brian Godawa shares the Biblical and ancient historical and mythical research that undergirds the fiction. Now all those appendices have been placed together in one book for those who want serious study of the topics of the Watchers, Nephilim, and the Biblical Cosmic War of the Seed.

  This book has the special bonus of a previously unpublished chapter on the Book of Enoch, as well as a newly expanded chapter on the Sons of God. But it also contains the appendices of the last two Chronicles, David Ascendant and Jesus Triumphant before their release!

  Chapters Include:

  1) The Book of Enoch: Scripture, Heresy or What? (Bonus Chapter)

  2) Sons of God (Newly expanded from Noah Primeval) 3) The Nephilim (from Noah Primeval) 4) Leviathan (from Noah Primeval) 5) Mesopotamian Cosmic Geography in the Bible (from Noah Primeval) 6) Retelling Bible Stories and Mythic Imagination (from Enoch Primordial) 7) Gilgamesh and the Bible (fro
m Gilgamesh Immortal) 8) In Defense of Ancient Traditions (from Abraham Allegiant) 9) Mythical Monsters in the Bible (from Joshua Valiant) 10) Canaanite Baal and Old Testament Storytelling Polemics (Caleb Vigilant) 11) Goliath was Not Alone (from David Ascendant) 12) Jesus and the Cosmic War (from Jesus Triumphant)

  To order books and products by Brian Godawa,

  as well as FREE articles, just go to the STORE at:

  www.godawa.com

  Hollywood Worldviews: Watching Films with Wisdom and Discernment By Brian Godawa

  With the sensibilities of an award-winning Hollywood screenwriter and the sensitivities of a thoughtful Christian, Brian Godawa guides us through the place of redemption in film, the "tricks of the trade" that screenwriters use to communicate their worldview through their stories, and the mental and spiritual discipline required for watching movies. Hollywood Worldviews helps us enter a dialogue with Hollywood that leads to a happier ending, one that keeps us aware of our culture and awake to our faith.

  Endorsements:

  “Provocative and challenging. Even when I find myself disagreeing with Brian Godawa in his evaluation of a particular film, his cinematé and sophisticated point of view command attention.”

  — Michael Medved, Film critic and author of Hollywood Versus America.

  “Brian’s analysis is insightful and stimulating. Our Biblical values are colliding with worldviews in the movies, and Brian shows us why. Those values are also illuminated by intersecting with movies, and I find that especially exciting. We might even understand the Bible with more insight from seeing these connections.”

  — Ralph Winter, Producer X-Men 2, Planet of the Apes, X-Men

  To order books and products by Brian Godawa,

  as well as FREE articles, just go to the STORE at:

  www.godawa.com

  Word Pictures: Knowing God Through Story and Imagination

  By Brian Godawa

  In his refreshing and challenging book, Godawa helps you break free from the spiritual suffocation of heady faith. Without negating the importance of reason and doctrine, Godawa challenges you to move from understanding the Bible “literally” to “literarily” by exploring the poetry, parables and metaphors found in God's Word. Weaving historical insight, pop culture and personal narrative throughout, Godawa reveals the importance God places on imagination and creativity in the Scriptures, and provides a biblical foundation for Christians to pursue image, beauty, wonder and mystery in their faith.

  Endorsements:

  “Brian Godawa is that rare breed—a philosopher/artist—who opens our eyes to the aesthetic dimension of spirituality. Cogently argued and fun to read, Godawa shows convincingly that God interacts with us as whole persons, not only through didactic teaching but also through metaphor, symbol, and sacrament.”

  — Nancy R. Pearcey,

  Author, Total Truth: Liberating Christianity from its Cultural Captivity

  “A spirited and balanced defense of the imagination as a potential conveyer of truth. There is a lot of good literary theory in the book, as well as an autobiographical story line. The thoroughness of research makes the book a triumph of scholarship as well.”

  — Leland Ryken, Clyde S. Kilby Professor of English, Wheaton College, Illinois

  Author, The Christian Imagination: The Practice of Faith in Literature & Writing.

  To order books and products by Brian Godawa,

  as well as FREE articles, just go to the STORE at:

  www.godawa.com

  Myth Became Fact: Storytelling, Imagination & Apologetics in the Bible By Brian Godawa

  A collection of essays by Brian Godawa about storytelling, imagination, apologetics and the Bible. Some of them have appeared in the novel series, Chronicles of the Nephilim and some have been published in various magazines or journals.

  The Christian reader will gain inspiration from these insights to use more imagination in their own approach to defending the faith and glorifying God.

  Old Testament Storytelling Apologetics

  Israel shared mythopoeic images with their pagan neighbors: The sea dragon of chaos, and the Storm god. These are polemical concepts used by Biblical writers to show the incomparability of Yahweh.

  Biblical Creation and Storytelling: Cosmos, Combat and Covenant

  Creation stories in the ancient Near East and the Bible both express a primeval battle called Chaoskampf, the fight of deity to create order out of chaos. But how do they differ?

  The Universe in Ancient Imagination

  A detailed comparison and contrast of the Biblical picture of the universe with the ancient Mesopotamian one. Does God communicate material structure or theological meaning?

  New Testament Storytelling Apologetics

  Paul’s sermon to the pagans on Mars Hill is an example of subversion: Communicating the Gospel in terms of a pagan narrative with a view toward replacing their worldview.

  Mythopoeia in Prophecy and Apocalyptic Genre

  God uses mythical descriptions of future events to deliberately obscure his message while simultaneously proving his claim about the true meaning and purpose behind history.

  An Apologetic of Biblical Horror

  An exploration of the genre of horror to show how God uses it as a powerful moral tool to communicate serious spiritual, moral, and social defilement in the context of repentance from sin and redemptive victory over evil.

  To order books and products by Brian Godawa,

  as well as FREE articles, just go to the STORE at:

  www.godawa.com

  Movies by Brian Godawa

  To End All Wars

  Written by Brian Godawa

  A true story about Allied P.O.W.s who endure harsh treatment at the hands of their Japanese captors during World War II while they are forced to build a railroad through the Burmese jungle.

  Alleged

  Written by Fred Foote and Brian Godawa

  Alleged is a romantic drama based on events using both historical and fictional elements occurring behind the scenes and outside the courtroom of the famous Scopes “Monkey Trial” of 1925.

  The Visitation

  Written by Brian Godawa

  Based on the bestseller by Frank Peretti

  Peretti’s supernatural thriller tells the story of a mysterious stranger (Edward Furlong) and his three associates, who arrive in a small town and perform miracles on those who would follow. Who is this charismatic drifter the townspeople have chosen to follow? Is he the true messiah, a false prophet or something far more sinister?

  Audio Lectures by Brian Godawa

  Brian has spoken around the world on the topic of movies, worldviews, and faith. Now you can purchase some of his presentations on downloadable MP3 directly from his website, www.godawa.com! Here are a sample of presentations:

  Art, Movies & Worldviews 6-Lecture Series by Brian Godawa

  1. The Church and the Arts: Friends or Foes?

  2. From Bezalel to Jesus: Art in the Bible

  3. Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang: Sex & Violence in the Movies

  4. That’s More Than Entertainment!: Redemption in the Movies

  5. Following Your Heart: Existentialism in the Movies

  6. Losing Our Grip on Reality: Postmodernism in the Movies

  Screenwriting for Christians

  A 9-Lecture Series by Brian Godawa

  Brian teaches the basic elements of storytelling used in writing screenplays from a Christian worldview, complete with examples and analysis of movies that illustrate the lessons. Comes with 30 pages of Student Handouts so you can follow along and take the class on tape! This was taught at YWAM's University of the Nations.

  1. Introduction/ Sex & Violence & the Bible

  2. Christian writer

  3. Basic Structure/ Premise/Theme

  4. Premise/Theme Part 2

  5. Character

  6. Plot

  7. Scene

  8. The Business and the Life of the Writer

  9. Analysis of first 10
pages of “The Sixth Sense”

  Storytelling, Worldviews & Persuasion 2 Lectures by Brian Godawa

  Part 1: Incarnation

  The modern Christian exclusive concentration on logic, precision and rationality has missed a fuller Biblical approach. In the Scriptures, truth and persuasion are mediated through imagination and storytelling as well. Brian addresses the power of incarnation used in Biblical storytelling and imagery. Examples from film clips are used to illustrate.

  Part 2: Subversion

  Brian examines the Biblical usage of subversion through storytelling as a means of engaging culture and capturing it for Christ. He shows how the Apostle Paul used subversion to retell the Stoic story in Christian terms.

  Defense of the Faith 12-Lecture Series by Brian Godawa

  This is a different approach to apologetics than the typical way that “proves” a generic theism, then “proves” the Bible, then “proves” the resurrection. This series addresses the weaknesses of typical apologetics and explores how to defend the faith on a deeper level, the level of the worldview of the unbeliever.

  1. Introduction to Apologetics

  2. Logic Part 1: Intro

  3. Logic Part 2: fallacies