• Shang Di - Tian
  • Myth
    • Unknown origin but proposing actual events at unspecified time
    • Told around extraordinary events - could not actually happen
  • Legend
    • Perceived by teller and listener as true
    • No happenings outside the realm of possibility
    • George Washington chopping down the cherry tree
  • History
    • Study of chronological events
  • Sima Qian - 25 A.D.
    • Huang Di (2400 B.C.)
    • Altar of heaven
    • Tai Shi Shandong province
    • Debate on dates - after flood (2450 B.C.), after tower of Babel
    • Site moved when capital moved
  • Altar of heaven
    • No images of Shang Di - Tian
    • Altat to make sacrifices on
    • After Solomon’s Temple built - II Chronicles 6:18
    • Confucius - “The ceremonies of the celestial and terrestrial sacrifices are those by which men serve Shang Di.”
  • Border sacrifice
    • Performed by the emporer of China
    • Called Border Sacrifice because it usually took place on the southern border of the imperial city
    • Ji Tian - Ceremony of Sacrifice to Heaven
    • Not all emperors faithful in the three yearly sacrfices that were expected
    • Vol. 25 - History of Han Dynasty
    • Corruption from 259 B.C. - A.D. 1368
    • False gods abolished
  • Border sacrifice - ceremony
    • Emperor - three times a year
    • Spring - harvest
    • Summer - rain
    • Winter solstice - to sacrifice to Heaven
  • Preparation for ceremonies
    • 3 months before - unblemished sacrifice selected
    • Emperor put a proclamation
    • 5 days before - prince inspection of sacrifice
    • 3 days before - fast: no wine, mean, women, or entertainment
    • 2 days before - inspect writings, incense
    • 10:00 a.m. day before sacrifice: procession to the altar
      • Emperor and as many as 5000 people
  • Inside the complex
    • Emperor - Imperial vault
    • Kneel, kowtow 9 times
    • Inspect sacrifice, then return and bathe
  • Day of sacrifice
    • 4:15 a.m.
    • Emperor put on robes of “bo” silk.
    • Wash face and hands in basin.
    • 9 stage ceremony ending in burnt offering
  • Conclusion
    • God has strict requirements.
    • God wants a pure heart.
    • God requires a perfect sacrifice.
    • Jesus’ sacrifice ended sacrifice at the temple in Jerusalem or at any other Altar of Heaven.