Mystery Babylon: Exposing Joel Richardson
I recently began a YouTube review and response to Joel Richardson’s book, Mystery Babylon: Unraveling the Bible’s Greatest Mystery. In his book, he claims that Babylon of Revelation is the Islamic Caliphate, and Mecca in Saudia Arabia is the capital. So far, I have produced five YouTube videos examining this claim, demonstrating that Mr. Richardson’s book is guilty of major logical, exegetical and hermeneutical fallacies and abuses. While Mr. Richardson is a talented writer, the content of his book is far from scholarly, far from convincing.
I recently reached out to Mr. Richardson on Twitter, inviting him to engage in a formal public debate or even a YouTube debate. His response was to accuse me of being arrogant, condescending and dishonest! I was– I admit– somewhat taken back by his accusation. Since when is asking to engage in honorable discussions arrogant, condescending and dishonesty?
I pointed out to Mr. Richardson that in my videos I had gone out of my way to say that I meant no disrespect to him. I should also note that when I posted news of Mr. Richardson’s charges against me, and sharing that he had blocked me from his Twitter feed, I received comments from several people that told me that in their opinion I had been very gracious to Mr. Richardson in my videos. I was simply challenging his theological conclusions. That is standard practice. Christian controversy is honorable and good. But, evidently not to Mr. Richardson. Not once did I question his attitude. Not once did I question his sincerity. Not once did I accuse him of heresy.
He then responded by posting an accusatory charge that as a full preterist, I do not believe that Jesus has a physical body in heaven and that he is “not human in any way”!
Well, I don’t believe that Jesus has a physical body of flesh and blood in heaven, but, that does not mean that I deny that he is human! (See my book, Like Father Like Son, On Clouds of Glory for a discussion of the nature of Christ’s post resurrection, pre-ascension body). When I challenged Mr. Richardson to document where I have ever denied these things, he then said that my challenge was proof that I am dishonest. When I asked how asking for documenation for his slanderous charges is proof of my dishonesty, he blocked me.
Evidently, Mr. Richardson has no interest in open, honorable discussion. He would rather make totally false, slanderous claims in a forum where there is no opportunity for response, and where he can block me from responding to those false charges.
Be sure to check out my on-going series reviewing his book. The link to #1 is given above, so be sure to follow along as I continue to expose the fallacy of Mr. Joel Richardson’s false claims. You will be amazed at how untenable Mr. Richardson’s claims about Babylon of Revelation truly are.
In the meantime, be sure to get a copy of my book, Who Is This Babylon? for a positive identification– without a lot of fantasmagoric speculation– of Babylon of Revelation.
