Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Roland · 07-27-2008, 07:28 PM

I came across this site which has two short videos by archaeologist Hector Avalos. He basically argues that most of what is found in the Bible is not supported by archaeology. He even shows a slide quoting Dever as saying that, due to his studies in the field, he has now gone over to the minimalist camp after years of challenging that viewpoint.

http://www.thoughttheater.com/2008/0...lical_hist.php

WWJD4aKlondikeBar · 07-28-2008, 04:30 AM

Celine · 07-28-2008, 04:26 PM

Hector has a B.A. in anthropology, but he's a professor of Philosophy and Religious studies, not archeology.

[btw]: He's also a well-reasoned, calm, and exemplary atheist, and takes on public controversy at Iowa State in courageous fashion.

gregor · 07-28-2008, 04:42 PM

He's written an article on "The End of Biblical Studies" or something to that effect in BAR (If I recall correctly). He's a frequent contributor to the "Debunking Christianity" web log.

Roland · 07-28-2008, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Celine

Hector has a B.A. in anthropology, but he's a professor of Philosophy and Religious studies, not archeology.

[btw]: He's also a well-reasoned, calm, and exemplary atheist, and takes on public controversy at Iowa State in courageous fashion.

Thanks Celine for the info.

Hey, that cat is cute and all, but what the heck is it doing in this thread? Am I missing something?

Roland · 07-28-2008, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregor

He's written an article on "The End of Biblical Studies" or something to that effect in BAR (If I recall correctly). He's a frequent contributor to the "Debunking Christianity" web log.

I just ordered his book by the same name. It looks quite interesting.

Toto · 07-28-2008, 06:46 PM

The End of Biblical Studies (or via: amazon.co.uk)

Reviewed here in BAR

Quote:

The reviewer of a book should declare up front any material biases, so here is mine: I am a supporter of the Biblical Archaeology Society and believe that Biblical archaeology is both useful and fascinating. Thus, it is disconcerting to discover a book entitled The End of Biblical Studies, whose third chapter begins, “Biblical archaeology lies in ruins ...” According to author Hector Avalos, the entire field is so riddled with shoddy practices, erroneous conclusions, religious and political bias and downright forgery, that its usefulness has come to an end.

:boohoo:

mountainman · 07-28-2008, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roland

I came across this site which has two short videos by archaeologist Hector Avalos. He basically argues that most of what is found in the Bible is not supported by archaeology. He even shows a slide quoting Dever as saying that, due to his studies in the field, he has now gone over to the minimalist camp after years of challenging that viewpoint.

http://www.thoughttheater.com/2008/0...lical_hist.php

Some notes on the first part of the vid:

Do We Need Biblical Scholars?

Quote:

Originally Posted by PHILIP DAVIES

Can Biblical Scholars persuade others that they conduct a legitimate academic discipline? Until they do, can they convince anyone that they have something to offer to the intellectual life of the modern world? Indeed, I think many of us have to convince ourselves first!

Biblical Archaeology

Maintains the relevance of the bible.

The position in 1900 ....

1) Most (not all) BC&H scholars considered Genesis scientific and historic
2) Archaeological historical proof existed for Exodus, Jacob, David, Solomon
3) Plenty of evidence for Jesus.

(eg: William Allbright)

The position in 2007 ...

1) Most (not all) BC&H scholars considered Genesis unscientific and non historic
2) Archaeological historical proof does not exist for Exodus, Jacob, David, Solomon
3) No trace of evidence for Jesus.

Best wishes,

Pete

spamandham · 07-28-2008, 11:46 PM

How the hell is "biblical archeology" different than "plain-ol' archeology"? If you have to make up special rules just because something is found in the Bible, then you're in the domain of apologetics, not archeology.

mountainman · 07-29-2008, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spamandham

How the hell is "biblical archeology" different than "plain-ol' archeology"?

Examine the trajectory of both fields over the last 100 years. The difference as we all must know rests in the postulates of "biblical archeology" and those of "plain-ol' archeology". The former contains the unexamined postulate of a historical jesus (wrt NT studies), the latter does not.

Quote:

If you have to make up special rules just because something is found in the Bible, then you're in the domain of apologetics, not archeology.

But this has only become apparent in recent times. Whoever allowed Carbon dating citations into BC&H opened up a wedge into the certainty of the authority of handwriting analyses for their chronology.

Best wishes,

Pete

07-27-2008, 07:28 PM	#1
Roland Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: California Posts: 748	Hector Avalos videos on archaeology and the Bible I came across this site which has two short videos by archaeologist Hector Avalos. He basically argues that most of what is found in the Bible is not supported by archaeology. He even shows a slide quoting Dever as saying that, due to his studies in the field, he has now gone over to the minimalist camp after years of challenging that viewpoint. http://www.thoughttheater.com/2008/0...lical_hist.php

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07-28-2008, 04:30 AM	#2
WWJD4aKlondikeBar Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 3,076

07-28-2008, 04:26 PM	#3
Celine Senior Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Ames, IA Posts: 543	Hector has a B.A. in anthropology, but he's a professor of Philosophy and Religious studies, not archeology. [btw]: He's also a well-reasoned, calm, and exemplary atheist, and takes on public controversy at Iowa State in courageous fashion.

07-28-2008, 04:42 PM	#4
gregor Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 932	He's written an article on "The End of Biblical Studies" or something to that effect in BAR (If I recall correctly). He's a frequent contributor to the "Debunking Christianity" web log.

07-28-2008, 11:46 PM	#9
spamandham Contributor Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 11,525	How the hell is "biblical archeology" different than "plain-ol' archeology"? If you have to make up special rules just because something is found in the Bible, then you're in the domain of apologetics, not archeology.

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