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Title: The Bible Unearthed: Archaeology's New Vision of Ancient Israel and the Origin of Its Sacred Texts by Neil Asher Silberman, Israel Finkelstein ISBN: 0-684-86913-6 Publisher: Free Press Pub. Date: 11 June, 2002 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.86 (72 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Exposing the roots
Comment: During the past century, archaeology's tool kit gained immensely in size and quality. New, accurate, dating systems pinpoint events. Researchers study humble pollen, weather conditions, changes in household implements along with building construction plans and methods. Even the "dismal science" of economics contributes information on trade, surpluses, products exchanged and records. Documents, always problematic, are subject to intense criticism and comparison. Inevitably, this investigative array has turned to the eastern Mediterranean and the societies flourishing there in "biblical times". During the 19th and early 20th Centuries, scholars rooted in the desert sands seeking evidence that Biblical episodes indeed occurred. The authors turn that process on its head, accepting the occurrence of events but challenging their dating. Biblical dating, they argue, is generally contrived.
What would be the reason for fabricating excess longevity to the founding of the Jewish people? According to the authors, it was an attempt by priest-scribes to formulate a theologically-based ideology. The purpose of this propaganda document was to justify a forced reunification of the "dual kingdoms" of Israel and Judah, long sundered, but still related. Instead of a history written over strung out centuries, Finkelstein and Silberman say the authors of the Torah flourished during the 7th Century BCE. Their intent was to galvanise the people of Judah to participate in the reconquest of Israel.
As the biblical writers put it, David founded a glorious kingdom, further enhanced by Solomon. This empire was centred on the Temple in Jerusalem. A centralised dogma with adherence to a single deity [no matter how capricious] represented by a single building in a central city was the rallying point. The Torah, then, was little more than a manifesto for conquest and unification. Past failures and successful invasions by Egyptians, Assyrians and Persians were attributed to idolatry, intermarriage with foreign women and rejection of YHWH, the all-powerful desert god. Finkelstein and Silberman credit the biblical authors with manipulating, if not fabricating past events to build the case for Jewish unity.
The book's authors bring every tool in archaeology's kit to bear in constructing their case. Each chapter opens with a "biblical account" of periods and events. The archaeological evidence is then presented for comparison. The Exodus, for example, a Jewish foundation stone of tradition and celebration, lacks all support. The Egyptians, meticulous record-keepers, say nothing of large Hebrew slave populations. Pharonic border guardians, ever alert to invasions from the east, apparently missed half a million people crossing the other way. The great infrastructure projects attributed to Solomon were more likely to have come from the despised Omride dynasty of Samaria. The evidence derives from gate construction techniques. Even business makes a contribution - it was Judah's rise in commerce that improved its level of literacy. A more learned population was more susceptible to the wave of propaganda insisting Israel and Judah should be reunited.
Finkelstein and Silberman avoid sinking into the morass of "biblical minimalism" prevalent in recent years. They don't contest the "historical reality" of biblical events. They do insist on better evidence for chronology, and for realistic assessment of the power of Jewish leaders. David couldn't have ruled more than a minuscule kingdom and nobody seems to have heard of Solomon. The authors acknowledge the long-term impact of the Torah and its successors in the Christian world. The reason, they argue, is that no other theological or political documents of the time reached so many people so intimately. Greeks, Persians, Egyptians and Babylonians all produced their commentators. None of these, however, could prescribe the daily lives of their readers. The Hebrew Bible's writer's provided this and other guides with a surety of purpose other societies never matched. It proved an effective, if historically flawed, document. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]
Rating: 4
Summary: Interesting Thoeries on Biblical Archaeology
Comment: Dealing with the Sacred Scriptures from a historical point of view is a daunting task, and only those with strong hearts should ever undertake such an endeavor. People generally have opinions before a book is even read, and more often than not read the book either to support or refute a claim. Authors need to be thick skinned to say the least.
My hunch is that Neil Asher Silberman and Israel Finkelstein will need thick skins. The two extensively research current biblical archeology in regard to ancient Israel and Judah and look at the scripture in light of these claims. The two challenge a popular and prevalent hypothesis that even though specific historical details may be incorrect, the Bible is basically a sound historical document. Looking not only at the history of ancient Israel and Judah, but also other ancient civilizations, the two challenge much of the historical data in the texts. They also look at small details in stories such as Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, ET. Al. to back up their theories. Some of their claims are that there was no large migration of people which would have made the Exodus improbable, details of nomadic times do not match the stories of the Patriarchs, and the dates of David's reign do not square with a strong and powerful Israel. While the two do not question the religious significance of the great figures of the Hebrew Bible, they do question their historical identities which puts these figures on a mythic scale, not only as larger than life figures who teach us lessons about life, but also in terms of believability. I suppose this could be troubling for some readers, but at this point in time, so many theories about scripture come and go when new finds and discoveries are made, most readers are probbaly used to new ideas that startle and challenge readers. New dicoveries and books really do not shake a person's faith.
As a Christian reader, I am somewhat used to biblical scholars who question the historical accuracy of certain texts. My faith is strong enough that claims such as those in this book will not change my point of view. I will use what is helpful as I do with so many books I read. As I read the work I could not help but wonder if the authors do for the Hebrew Scriptures what authors such as Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan do for the Gospels. The book is almost guaranteed to cause controversy. Personally their findings are interesting, and deserve to be taken seriously, especially since the book is well written by two scholars who know their subject and have done ample research. Their research also helps people in exegetical work as far as dating texts would be concerned. Their work also stirs debate which means that the texts have to be examined and interpreted in order to be relevant today. This is not a bad challenge for ancient texts, especially texts that are ancient yet still are living.
Now, as a person who uses scripture both personally and professionally on a daily basis, I would urge some caution when reading this book. Often when a book such as this is written, especially a book that is researched as much as this one is, it often becomes the "final word", and please pardon the pun, "biblical truth." This remains the case until the next book is published, containing all the available research that is current at the time, and often has very different conclusions. In the future another book may be published that will refute the claims of this book. Since new theories and discoveries frequently arise, these findings may not be the final word. The book is worth buying and definitely worth reading, even if you do not agree with all of its conclusions, and should provide much information that can be helpful in preaching, teaching, Bible study, and other forms of ministry.
Rating: 5
Summary: This is an honest and a scientific job
Comment: This book is very interesting. It challenges the old idea that Bible was writen by men inspired by God. It shows clearly that Bible was writen by priests that had the yahwist religious, most from Judah, against people from the old baal religious traditions, most from Israel. Everything that a baalist king did, was bad before the eyes of their god YHWH, even when an heroic king like Ahab fighted strongly against Assirian domination and improved strongly the Israel economy. Everything that a Yahvist king did was good for the eyes of god, even when he was like Jehu, very subservient to Assirian empire. The book shows clearly that the prophets from that time were men like us, with great envy, prejudices and personal interests in make money with the monopoly of sacrifices centralized in Jerusalem. Complete different of it would be expected from a God's men.
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Title: Who Wrote the Bible? by Richard E. Friedman ISBN: 0060630353 Publisher: Harper SanFrancisco Pub. Date: 07 May, 1997 List Price(USD): $15.95 |
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Title: Who Wrote the New Testament? : The Making of the Christian Myth by Burton L. Mack ISBN: 0060655186 Publisher: Harper SanFrancisco Pub. Date: 06 September, 1996 List Price(USD): $17.95 |
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Title: Who Were the Early Israelites and Where Did They Come From? by William G. Dever ISBN: 0802809758 Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. Pub. Date: May, 2003 List Price(USD): $25.00 |
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Title: What Did the Biblical Writers Know and When Did They Know It?: What Archaeology Can Tell Us About the Reality of Ancient Israel by William G. Dever ISBN: 080282126X Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. Pub. Date: November, 2002 List Price(USD): $21.00 |
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Title: 101 Myths of the Bible: How Ancient Scribes Invented Biblical History by Gary Greenberg ISBN: 1570718423 Publisher: Sourcebooks Trade Pub. Date: September, 2002 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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