Chris Weimer

James Tabor posts a bit on the movie:

Those “Biblical documentary” shows have become so ubiquitous on TV that it is hard to keep up with them. I have participated in many dozens of them over the years, some good, but many I am sorry to say, greatly disappointing. In fact, as the years go by I am often susprised to see myself on some ancient TV rerun in the wee hours on Discovery, History, or the Learning channel, looking shockingly younger with dark hair and beard. So many consist of a dramatic stage voiced narration, lots of “talking head” interviews with the usual suspects, and paintings of the Old World masters liberally spashed on the screen. It can get a bit tiring to watch. Recent attempts to add “reenactments” and special effects have by and large fell flat due to poor quality.

Still, from time to time some really good programing does come out in this made-for-TV genre and I wanted to draw your attention to a new documentary that I think really stands out of the crowd, one I think you will not want to miss, no matter what your persuation might be when it comes to the matter of the Bible and history.

Check the rest out here.

Toto

So . . . Jacobovici (who thinks miracles can happen) is going to do the film version of The Jesus Dynasty. I'm having a hard time thinking of something appropriate to say.

skepticdude

Let us suppose the Exodus account in the bible IS supported from archaeology as much as anything in ancient history typically is supported this way.

So what?

This doesn't prove god, and it doesn't show that the miracles actually happened, which are those constantly missing links in all apologetic arguments from archaeology.

The only skeptics the "Exodus Decoded" refutes, are the extreme radical and stupid skeptics, who say the reason we have no evidence NOW, is because no evidence ever DID exist in the first place. That's just stupid.

As an atheist, I still allow that the bible tells many things accurately, but for which we have no current archaeological evidence.

This places me no closer to believing it's miracle stories.

By the way, this documentary provides a scientific explanation to support the 10 plagues.

If that explanation is true and right, then it is the mere OPINION of the Israelites, that "god did it".

The fact seems obvious, that the Israelites attributed natural scientific phenomena to God, which attribution must forever remain tenuous.

So get it through your heads, you hopeful apologists....new archaeological proofs which support the biblical version of ancient history, support neither belief in God nor belief in miracles.

Religious people are known for nothing in this world...if they are not known for attributing natural phenomena and blind luck, to the workings of deity.

No dice.

Chris Weimer

skepticdude - old news, something I've been saying for years. You'd be surprised how many atheists don't even buy into it. Likewise, the same is true for the opposite. Even if every word of the Bible is false, it doesn't disprove God any. The evidence for the existence of God (e.g...well, there is none! :Cheeky: ) rises and falls (and dies) on its own accord, not by any book.

Steven Avery

Hi Exo,

The show was fairly impressive, although with variations in the distinct sections.

Chronology - Excellent
Plagues.Thera - Interesting
Route - Weak
Minoan Connection - Fascinating

Also weak on acknowledging some of the original source material, and a bit of hand-waving on the superior route alternative.

The chronology is actually very close to that from the late Ron Wyatt, details in The Exodus Case by Lennart Moller. Ignore the buzz here, Exodus Case is an incredible book, and this new material acts as a strong additional support to the general chronology. (Which differs by about one generation from the show 1450 vs 1500 BC .. that leads to a lot of interesting technical questions about the Ahmose stele that would be good to bounce off Lennart.).

Shalom,
Steven Avery

Marduk

I watched the show and was underwhelmed, a volcano blew up, lots of bad weather and plagues, an account appears in both Egyptian and Hebrew texts, The Hysksos where kicked out of Egypt around the same time, big deal? Not exactly like the Cecil B Demille movie is it? They use the terms Israelites, Hyksos and Caananites as if they were synonymous and no connection is made by the Egyptians between the plagues and the Hyksos exit and some foreign God AFAIK.

FatherMithras

Ron wyatt, the man who single handedly found almost every religious artifact of importance ever, including Noah's Ark, the "True Cross", the Ark of the Covenent, etc. *yawn*. Believing the archaelogical stories of a man so prevalent in fraud is like going to a faith healer to cure cancer, simply not a good idea.

Steven Avery

Hi FM,
Dunno about any claim of the "True Cross".
Would be an interesting find, does it go back to the claims of
Constantine's fair lady ?

There are however, a lot of issues around the crucifixion site, and Ron thought the round stone that blocked the tomb was underground there (although others say it is simply a round cistern underground).

Anyway, those interested can always seek to keep up on the Bible archaelogy issues.

Shalom,
Steven Avery
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Messianic_Apologetic

Johnny Skeptic

Message to praxeus: If there was an Exodus, so what? It would merely have been a secular event. What about the ten plagues? If they occurred, they would had to have been supernatural events. Do you have any extra-biblical evidence that the ten plagues occurred.

David B

They would not have to be supernatural events.

They could be folk memories of the aftermath of Santorini.

If one juggles rather dubius chronoloes a little.

David B