Introduction
Grabbe (2007, P.54) conducted a study under the title “The Kingdom of Israel From Omri To The Fall Of Samaria: If We Only Had the Bible...” According the author there was a heated debate on whether the Bible is a problematic source of information about the settlement of central Palestine. The debate evolved to focus on the period of the first part of the monarchy the early period of ‘nationhood’ (Grabbe, p. 54). Consequently, the author conducted a study with four objectives and a main objective of identifying ways of assessing Biblical stories that cannot be checked with supplementary sources of information. The author arrived at five main conclusions, which indicated that the Bible provides both accurate and misleading information on the topic in question. This paper is an objective critique to Grabbe’s (2007) publication because it analyzes the main debate, methods used, and evidence provided by the author.
The Main Debate The author wanted to contribute to the debate hence, used four objectives. The first objective was to check the information that is present in the bible (from a historical perspective). The writer also wanted to collect non-Biblical data in addition to comparing and contrasting Biblical data and non-Biblical data. Ultimately, the author also intended to identify ways for assessing Biblical data; where it cannot be checked with additional sources of information (Grabbe, p. 54). It is clear that the main debate was to establish if the
The Crusades were a series of wars over the holy lands such as Jerusalem between European Christians and the Ottoman Empire between the 11th and 15th centuries. They fought for many reasons such as control over religious sights, access to trade and protection of fellow christians.
Joseph M. Bolton RELS 103-02 Online Old Testament Studies Spring Semester 2011 Session E May 8, 2011 to July 2, 2011 The Old Testament TimeLine Creation & Primeval History The Creation: * God creates the Heavens and the Earth * God creates man in his image. *
Bruce Waltke begins his argument by establishing the opponent’s view. Waltke writes that forms of criticism hold “that most of the literature of the Old Testament had a long oral prehistory before being written down” (17). Waltke seeks to refute this claim by establishing that “biblical literature had a short oral prehistory
The argument over the material that is comprised of the first five books of the Bible and that Moses was the author is speculated to be hypothetical. The data that led scholars to arrive at the Documentary Hypothesis points out that there is no evidentiary support or documentation to back up the information claimed in the first five books. The Documentary Hypothesis includes repetition, shows similarities, reflects inconsistences,
For many, the Hebrew bible is read and accepted without question. It plays a significant role in the practice of many religions and yet not many dare to wonder who wrote such sacred writings that would still be read to this very day. For generations, it was almost unheard of to ask or even fathom the identity of the author. Richard Elliot Friedman, a biblical scholar and graduate from Harvard University, explores, studies, and analyzes the bible to discover who wrote it. Having earned a master degree in theology, B.A degree in Philosophy, and master degree in Hebrew literature, Friedman proves to be a knowledgeable expert in his field of studies. From the years of work he invested into, Friedman aims to provide convincing evidence that the book is written by four persons through historical, archaeological, logical proof.
John H. Walton’s Ancient Near Eastern Thought and the Old Testament: Introducing the Conceptual World of the Hebrew Bible is broken up into fourteen chapters. Those fourteen chapters are each part of one of five sections. This book also contains over twenty historical images. Before the introduction, the author gives readers a full appendix of all images used in this published work. The author then gives his acknowledgements followed by a list of abbreviations.
An examination of Israelite theology goes beyond finding similarities and differences, it should articulate the relationships which existed and clarify the cultural context. Otherwise, the mere interpretation of text may lead to interpretation with a theological significance based on our understanding.
False Statement consisted of numerous accounts that the archaeologists were able to uncover actual evidence of who the ancient Israelite were and where they came from. Paul Johnson believed that Exodus actually occurred in the 13th century BC and was completed by 1225 BC. Archaeologist also believed that David was not a might figure who had power that were felt from the Nile to Euphrates but rather a low person on the totem pole in southern highlands around Jerusalem and Hebron. What was brought up in the reading was the fact that 603, 550 Hebrew slaves were able to escape on the account of Egyptian records. Even though Egypt's eastern boders were tightly surrounded, wouldn't these slaves be captured? There was not evidence that showed Israelite's
When studying any piece of literature there are many different methods and techniques that can be used. The Bible, in specific, is often referred to as a source of moral code, hope, and answers to social, ethical, and political questions. However, this incredibly influential book can also be read as if it were any other novel. The events, settings, and characters can all be evaluated for what they are, forgetting the notion that they are from a religious text. This approach is called narrative criticism. When regarding to the Bible in this way, we do not need to know any historical information or focus on seeking a deeper theological meaning. Instead, the stories are evaluated in terms of how
Throughout the course of the semester, we have constantly talked about and expressed the idea of reading the Bible in a historical context. Picking out the pieces that coincide with evidence that has been found with archeological findings, the accuracy of dates, and important people. The critical study of the Bible is to look at the book as a piece of historical text. The use of our “historical lens” allows us to pick out to various pieces that appear to be factual. Using this analysis of looking at the Bible through our “historical glasses”, we can understand the true meaning of the Bible in its original historical setting.
“Israel’s Bible begins with an extended look at the world prior to Israel instead of assuming that the world began when it came to be.” “Gen 2-9 is introduced by Gen 1 and carried forward by Gen 10-11. Gen 1-11 then is a single story, an unusually sustained “philosophical” and “theological” explanation,” explaining our relationship with God, our flaws and destiny and religious institutions.
The history of how the Bible came into existence has been explored for centuries and is an active area of study today. There are many facets to the Bible and each has its own set of unique characteristics and teachings. The Old Testament is considered a contemporary guide for daily living, even though it was composed hundreds of years ago. Where did the Old Testament come from? What are some of the influences that shaped the Old Testament? What are the significant events of the Old Testament? In order to gain a better understanding of the Old Testament and its message to Christians, special consideration is given to its historical and cultural context, and to the major milestones in its development. Personal application of the teachings offered in this section of the Bible should be the aspiration of all Christians today.
Yes, the author is able to support his conclusion through the evidence provided in the book. Though the evidence is provided, it is still up to the reader to fulfill the actions discussed by the authors as to how to live out their faith in a secular Western culture. In order to succeed in this, the readers must also be knowledgeable in the stories of the biblical narrative. This will allow them to represent Christianity as faithful witnesses of Christ’s love.
There were at least 3 views of how the Old Testament was composed which include the critical view, the compositional view, and the common view. Each view was somewhat similar and different in the aspects that gave it it's own characteristics. The main point of this discussion is to focus on the similarities and differences of each view which are but not limited to how the bible was created, the process, and design.
Therefore, according to the author Mathewson, one struggle with the Old Testament narratives considering there is no patience, also are tempted to press for an enumeration of facts or set of clear and sharply formulated the idea (fluff); to be honest, it is mostly ignorance. Second, one finds the Old Testament challenging considering its role is minimized in the canon as faulty. The importance of the Old Testament stories gives instruction to things not repeated in the New Testament, Creation, law, also covenant. Intimidated by the language and literature of the Old Testament is another challenge in preaching the narratives, as well as, one being enslaved to a particular style of exposition (Mathewson 12-25).