- published: 09 Jan 2012
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A biblical judge (Hebrew: shôphaatîm or shoftim שופטים) is "a ruler or a military leader, as well as someone who presided over legal hearings."
Following the conquest of Canaan by Joshua until the formation of the first Kingdom of Israel (ca. 1150-1025 BC), the Israelite Tribes formed a loose confederation. No central government existed in this confederation and in times of crisis, the people were led by ad hoc leaders known as judges.
The Book of Judges mentions judges such as Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, Deborah, Gideon, Tola, Jair, Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon, Abdon, and Samson; and the First Book of Samuel mentions Eli and Samuel, as well as Joel and Abiah (two sons of Samuel).
In the Book of Judges, a cyclical pattern is given to show the need for the various judges: apostasy of the Israelite people, hardship brought on as punishment from God crying out to the Lord for rescue. The judges were the ones chosen by God to rescue the people. But Biblical judges were not limited to the Book of Judges; Moses exercised the powers of superior judicial body before the Israelites long before and could be considered the first Biblical judge. "Moses also laid foundation for another separation, which has since become indispensable for any democracy. He created an independent judiciary". Moses is founder of basis of the philosophy of law as well as such modern legal doctrines as independent judiciary and separation of powers.).
Charles "Chuck" Missler is an author, evangelical Christian, Bible teacher, former businessman and US Naval officer. He is the founder of the Koinonia House ministry based in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.
Missler was for several years the chairman, the chief executive, and the largest shareholder of Western Digital. In 1983 he became the chairman and chief executive of Helionetics Inc., another technology company. After teaching for many years at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, Missler moved to Coeur d'Alene in 1992 and founded Koinonia House. Through this organization, Missler distributes a monthly newsletter, Bible study tapes, and a radio show, and speaks at conferences.
Missler is a prominent speaker on the subject of bible prophecy. Missler has had numerous programs aired on the Christian television station GOD TV, namely the DVD versions of his biblical studies "Learn the Bible in 24 Hours", "The Book of Revelation", "The Book of Genesis", and "The Book of Daniel".[citation needed] A Los Angeles Times article reported that Missler and co-author Hal Lindsey had plagiarized a portion of Miami University Professor Edwin Yamauchi's 1982 book Foes From the Northern Frontier in their own 1992 book The Magog Factor. A YouTube video in which Missler uses a jar of peanut butter to attempt to disprove evolution attracted media attention in 2007-2008.