FWIW, I used to have a copy of _Ancient Orient and Old Testament_, by
Kenneth Kitchen, published probably over 20 years ago. The book used
archaeological findings to verify scriptural accounts. One that comes to
mind is the covenantal ceremony in Gen. 15:9ff., which was said to be
similar to other ceremonies of that time period.
Just my 2 cents,
Dan Eumurian
La Crosse, WI
Dawsonzhu@aol.com wrote:
> I think the place where the rubber really meets the road in
> the Old Testament (OT) is the issue of Moses and the Exodus.
> If that is utter myth, I would have to say that the Bible is
> nonsense and not worth taking seriously. The OT rests on that,
> and it is at the core of the Jewish (and Christian) faith.
> It is what gives us hope and faith that God really does act in
> history, and that God treats us as moral creatures who will be
> held accountable for our deeds --- like it or not.
>
> If Adam and Eve (and Noah for that matter) are pure myth, it
> would hardly change my life. However, I would say that starting
> from Abraham, there should be some reason to take the historical
> accounts more seriously. That does not come without problems, but
> the Exodus is as central to the OT, as the resurrection is to the
> New Testament. If Christ is really a myth, my faith is folly.
>
> I would add that these non-existence claims on Moses and Christ
> seem rather fanciful and bear a rather suspicious resemblance to
> conspiracy theories. I am also concerned that such wishful thinking
> is a bit wreckless because it represent just the kinds of wrongheaded
> notions that are most likely to be seized upon and perverted by
> people who are already predisposed to a strongly anti-Semitic position.
> That is just what we need --- more "Mein Kampf" in this world.
>
> by Grace alone do we proceed,
> Wayne
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