Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Toto · 05-23-2007, 01:57 AM

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

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In this radical critique of his own academic specialty, biblical scholar Hector Avalos calls for an end to biblical studies as we know them. He outlines two main arguments for this surprising conclusion. First, academic biblical scholarship has clearly succeeded in showing that the ancient civilization that produced the Bible held beliefs about the origin, nature, and purpose of the world and humanity that are fundamentally opposed to the views of modern society. The Bible is thus largely irrelevant to the needs and concerns of contemporary human beings. Second, Avalos criticizes his colleagues for applying a variety of flawed and specious techniques aimed at maintaining the illusion that the Bible is still relevant in today's world. In effect, he accuses his profession of being more concerned about its self-preservation than about giving an honest account of its own findings to the general public and faith communities.

Dividing his study into two parts, Avalos first examines the principal subdisciplines of biblical studies (textual criticism, archaeology, historical criticism, literary criticism, biblical theology, and translations) in order to show how these fields are still influenced by religiously motivated agendas despite claims to independence from religious premises. In the second part, he focuses on the infrastructure that supports academic biblical studies . . .

Hector Avalos

SBL paper: "The Ideology of the Society of Biblical Literature and the Demise of an Academic Profession"

Roger Pearse · 05-23-2007, 03:46 AM

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First, academic biblical scholarship has clearly succeeded in showing that the ancient civilization that produced the Bible held beliefs about the origin, nature, and purpose of the world and humanity that are fundamentally opposed to the views of modern society.
The Bible is thus largely irrelevant to the needs and concerns of contemporary human beings.

"... and are totally opposed to National Socialism." Oops, sorry, wrong "modern society."

To treat 'modern society' as the arbiter of absolutes -- meaning, of course, the opinions and wishes of those who controlled the media agenda in the West between 1985 and ca. 2010 -- seems to me an extraordinary thing for any intelligent person to do.

Quote:

Second, Avalos criticizes his colleagues for applying a variety of flawed and specious techniques aimed at maintaining the illusion that the Bible is still relevant in today's world.

I doubt modern biblical scholars give a damn about this.

All the best,

Roger Pearse

Brother Daniel · 05-23-2007, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roger Pearse

I doubt modern biblical scholars give a damn about this.

They don't give a damn whether their techniques are flawed and specious? Then biblical studies is in trouble indeed.

Condraz23 · 05-23-2007, 05:18 AM

I believe that Biblical studies should be integrated into religious studies, unless the student is specifically persuing a job as a sociologist or comparative anthropologist.

judge · 05-23-2007, 05:26 AM

Quote:

First, academic biblical scholarship has clearly succeeded in showing that the ancient civilization that produced the Bible held beliefs about the origin, nature, and purpose of the world and humanity that are fundamentally opposed to the views of modern society.

Given that different people read the bible and adduce different meanings for the purpose of the world and humanity, just how , I wonder, did he "succeed in showing" this?

Just what does "modern society" view the purpose of the world and humanity to be?

Roger Pearse · 05-23-2007, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by judge

Just what does "modern society" view the purpose of the world and humanity to be?

We could also ask who, precisely is "modern society"? It isn't me, obviously. Is it you? Or is it none of us, but some other bunch of people?

All the best,

Roger Pearse

Zeichman · 05-23-2007, 06:54 AM

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Originally Posted by Brother Daniel

They don't give a damn whether their techniques are flawed and specious? Then biblical studies is in trouble indeed.

Read the full quote, the emphasis was on relevance.

gurugeorge · 05-23-2007, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by judge

Given that different people read the bible and adduce different meanings for the purpose of the world and humanity, just how , I wonder, did he "succeed in showing" this?

Just what does "modern society" view the purpose of the world and humanity to be?

Well Toto did kindly provide a link in the OP :Cheeky:

Brother Daniel · 05-23-2007, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeichman

Read the full quote, the emphasis was on relevance.

Fair enough. I stand corrected.

Equinox · 05-23-2007, 10:42 AM

Thanks for showing us this, Toto.

I agree with Avalos on several points. For one, I think many here as well as myself would agree that a massively disproportionate amount of resources is put into Bible study as compared with other ancient literature, and that this results in significant cultural harm.

I also agree that humans can often do things to preserve their own turf, even if that means self-aggrandizment and aggrandizement of one's own field. Recognizing this, and honestly pointing it out in one's own field, is a brave move on his part.

Think if we, as a society, actually did pour as much of our resources into understanding ancient world literature as we into this small set of a few dozen middle eastern books? Would we not have a more cogent view of the sweep of history that brought us here? Would there not be a more complete set of knowlege available. I think Avalos has a point.

All the best-

Equinox

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05-23-2007, 05:18 AM	#4
Condraz23 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New Zealand Posts: 2,256	I believe that Biblical studies should be integrated into religious studies, unless the student is specifically persuing a job as a sociologist or comparative anthropologist.

05-23-2007, 10:42 AM	#10
Equinox Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 897	Thanks for showing us this, Toto. I agree with Avalos on several points. For one, I think many here as well as myself would agree that a massively disproportionate amount of resources is put into Bible study as compared with other ancient literature, and that this results in significant cultural harm. I also agree that humans can often do things to preserve their own turf, even if that means self-aggrandizment and aggrandizement of one's own field. Recognizing this, and honestly pointing it out in one's own field, is a brave move on his part. Think if we, as a society, actually did pour as much of our resources into understanding ancient world literature as we into this small set of a few dozen middle eastern books? Would we not have a more cogent view of the sweep of history that brought us here? Would there not be a more complete set of knowlege available. I think Avalos has a point. All the best- Equinox

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