THE BIBLE AS HISTORY

by Werner Keller ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 29, 1956

Subtitled A (Confirmation of the Book of Books, this adds a new chapter to the material now available on the findings of archaeology by approaching the subject with a specific purpose -- to determine whether modern discoveries have substantiated history as presented in the Old and New Testaments. It's exciting reading as stories familiar since childhood take on stature with the visible evidence that has been unearthed. Much that seemed symbolical or mythological is proved factual:- Abraham was driven forth with his wife and household -- an echo of the older Sinuhe story of Egypt; Joseph did hold a post of confidence in Egypt, but under the Hyksos' rule; the silence in Egyptian and Israelite history has been broken with the translation of the obscure Hittite records; sites of cities and their identity have been determined; Moses, his birth, his rearing, the plagues of Egypt, the escape of the enslaved children of Israel, even the ""miracle of the sea"" find credible explanation. The Sinai tablets afford proof that these were not merely an ignorant, nomadic people, but literate, and the beginnings of the timeless story of faith in the One God take on authority. With the approach to Canaan, the postponement of attack while another generation grew up, sojourning as herdsmen in the Negeb, planning for an integrated community, passing the tests of their ethical principles, all make more sense. Conquest- settlement- a break with the nomadic past around 1230 BC and then a period of unrest and wars, while David advances Israel's frontiers, and a loose federation becomes a nation- all this is proved by concrete records and evidence. Solomon in all his glory is rooted in a framework of fact, and the Queen of Sheba's Marib really existed. The daily life of the times, far in advance of the people elsewhere, becomes visible. Then- through their own feuds- the Israelites split into two nations, and evidence of subsequent conquest and deportation is recorded in Assyrian chronicles and elsewhere. The successive findings of foundations, tombs, writings makes reading this as good as a detective story- and the civilization of the Babylonians, the period from exile to the Maccabees is absorbing. With the coming of the Persians, return to Jerusalem became a reality -- and eventually the Romans entered as conquerors.... The ""digging up of the New Testament"" is more a matter of exploring the architectural reconstruction of the environment of the few brief years accounted for in the Gospels, the Acts and the Some false evidence (Chamberlain's- that the ""father"" of Jesus was non-Semitic, for instance) is examined and disproved; some of the accepted legends are given basis, such as the Star of Bethlehem and the coming of the Wise Men; the identity of the place where the Holy Family took refuge in Egypt is established; and contemporary- or nearly contemporary-historical records are given to attest the reliability of the Gospel account of events. With 70 AD and the destruction of Jerusalem the end of Israel's existence in Palestine seems to come. Further chapters explore the creation story, and an interesting summary of the use made of Biblical data in rebuilding Palestine today and the importance of the Dead Sea Scrolls brings the whole down to the moment..... From an immense success in Germany, this comes in translation by William Neil, and should find a wide market, well beyond the religious book market, in this country.

Pub Date: Oct. 29, 1956

ISBN: 9650060162

Page Count: -

Publisher: Morrow

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1956

Categories: NONFICTION