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Get To Know Me

Hey, I'm Austin Ross—the guy behind Crossroads Bar and Grill, Crossroads Ice Cream Parlor, The Zone, and now, Crossroads Ministries. You might be asking, "Why does this guy care so much about Jesus?" Fair question. But the truth is, my purpose in life goes far beyond financial success.

My biggest mission? Sharing the gospel. If one day I can meet you in heaven, knowing I didn’t shy away from telling you about Jesus because I was worried about my reputation—that’s a win in my book.

This little section of the website is for anyone who's questioning their beliefs and searching for concrete answers about the Bible's truth, or simply wanting to know more about Jesus. Whether you're exploring faith for the first time or looking to strengthen what you already believe, you're in the right place.

Cross on the Mountain Top

This section is always updating so make sure to come back!

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Girsu and Ebla Tablets

The Sumerians, known for composing the oldest written records, recorded their creation beliefs on cuneiform tablets. One such tablet, discovered in Girsu and dating back to around 2900 BC, describes the world before the sun, moon, and even lesser gods existed. At this early stage of creation, daylight and moonlight had not yet appeared, vegetation was still dust, and the earth was submerged in water. The text mentions heaven, earth, and water—often personified as divine forces in Mesopotamian mythology—with Lord Heaven possibly acting as the creator. This account shares notable similarities with the biblical Genesis narrative, as it describes a defined beginning, the emergence of celestial bodies, and the presence of divine beings, comparable to angelic figures.

Another significant creation account was discovered in the ruins of Ebla, an ancient city in northern Mesopotamia (modern Syria). Among approximately 20,000 clay tablets found there, three contain a brief creation poem written in the Eblaite language. Dating between 2400 and 2000 BC, the poem describes a divine Lord who, through his words, brought the earth, the sun, and light into existence. However, references to the creation of plants, animals, and humans are either missing or lost.

The Girsu tablet and the Eblaite creation hymn are among the oldest known creation texts, predating most other ancient accounts. While they differ from Genesis in their theological framework—lacking clear monotheism and a structured sequence—these texts reflect an early and widespread understanding of creation in the ancient Near East. Their similarities suggest a shared cultural memory of the origins of the world, preserved through different civilizations over time.

Supporting verses: (Genesis 1:1–2:1; Job 38:4-7; Psalm 148:1-5; Colossians 1:15-16)

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Atra Hasis Tablet

The ancient Akkadian epic of Atra-Hasis, named after its wise protagonist, tells a creation and flood story remarkably similar to the biblical narrative of Noah. A recently rediscovered and translated tablet from around 1900 BC provides details of Atra-Hasis's interaction with the god Enki regarding the impending flood. This tablet, along with other ancient texts, reveals a common thread: the gods, displeased with humanity, decide to destroy them with a great flood. A chosen man is warned and instructed to build a large boat, complete with specified dimensions, multiple levels, and a sealed roof. Animals are taken aboard in pairs, and a devastating storm ensues, flooding the entire world. The boat eventually lands on a mountain, and the survivor offers a sacrifice.

While the similarities to the Noah's Ark story are striking, there are also key differences. The Mesopotamian versions, including Atra-Hasis and the flood narrative in the Epic of Gilgamesh (where the flood hero is called Utnapishtim), feature a pantheon of gods, rather than a single God. The motivation for the flood also varies; in these earlier accounts, overpopulation and the noise of humanity disturb the gods, whereas the biblical story emphasizes human sin. The construction of the boat in the Atra-Hasis epic involves the city's craftsmen, and the duration of the rainfall and the specifics of the sacrifice differ. The boat's dimensions, while large, also vary somewhat between accounts.

It's clear that these ancient flood stories, including the Sumerian tale of Ziusudra, share a common ancestor. Though the Genesis account stands apart with its monotheistic perspective and focus on sin, it's undeniable that it echoes the same fundamental narrative found in the older Mesopotamian and other contemporary accounts, like the Greek myth of Deucalion. These shared stories point to a widespread ancient tradition of a cataclysmic flood that reshaped the world.

Supporting verses: (Genesis 6:5–8:22; 2 Peter 2:5)

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Enuma Elish, Enki and Ninhursag, Adapa

The ancient Mesopotamians had some fascinating stories about how the world and people came to be. One of the most important is the Enuma Elish, a Babylonian epic. It begins with the gods existing before anything else, "when on high." We have copies from around 1000 BC, but it's likely older, perhaps from 1700 BC. This story explains how Marduk became the chief god. It's a tale of cosmic battles and power struggles among the gods. There are these original gods: Abzu (fresh water), Tiamat (salt water), and Mummu (mist). Marduk eventually defeats Tiamat and uses her body to form the heavens and the earth. Humans are created later from the blood of a slain god, Kingu, mixed with clay. Their purpose? To work so the gods can rest.

The Enuma Elish is divided into seven parts, much like the seven days of creation in Genesis. Humans appear in the sixth section, and the seventh is dedicated to praising Marduk. The parallels with Genesis are striking: original creator gods, the separation of heaven and earth, the creation of humans, and the idea of the gods resting.

There are other Mesopotamian creation stories too. The Sumerian epic Enki and Ninhursag also describes humans being formed from clay. And there's the tale of Adapa, the first man, who's similar to Adam. The earliest version we have is from around 1400 BC, but the story is probably older. Adapa encounters the gods but misses his chance at eternal life because he refuses their food and drink. He's sent back to earth, mortal and subject to disease. Some scholars believe Adapa's name might be related to Adam.

These stories share common themes. Humans are often made from clay and infused with something divine, like blood or breath. It suggests these stories may have originated from a shared tradition, passed down and adapted over time. They reveal how different cultures tried to understand the origins of the world and humankind.

Supporting verses: (Genesis 1:26-3:34)

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