PhilosopherJay

Hi toto,

Since BAR is one of his targets in the book, one cannot be surprised to find such a negative review in it regarding the work.

I just finished reading Hector Avalos' book. I thought it was quite insightful, skillfully written and thought-provoking.

Avalos, from a privileged insiders' perspective, confirms many things that have been generally argued in this forum, specifically about Biblical studies in American academia. He suggests that it is currently dominated by people pushing religious agendas (some openly, some in less obvious fashions). In linguistics, translations, textual criticism, archeology, history, literary criticism, and aesthetics, the "scholars" in the field badly misrepresent the facts to their students, themselves and the general public. Avalos gives a number of fascinating (and often funny) cases and demonstrations to back up his position.

He writes clearly, powerfully and does a good job of providing references.

It is an important manifesto. We should expect that it will shake up and change the academic world and the world beyond.

Warmly,

Philosopher Jay