Was the Believer phenomenon a local transformation in a land thinly exploited by monotheism, or a deliberate ontological change meant to challenge Judaism and Christianity that altered the purpose of monotheism, a scythe to eradicate paganism, and inculcate constructions of sin and forgiveness through conversion, intending thereby to change the past by inserting new myths […]
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TAKING THE BIBLE APART – RICHARD FREIDMAN PDF
The Beginnings of the Hebrew Bible
The traditional view of the Hebrew Bible (that is, Judaism and Christianity before the 19th century and the beginning of the academic use of historical, literary and textual analysis) held that its earliest piece was the Torah – that is, the five-book work that includes Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. It was believed (and […]
Historical and Scientific Problems in the Bible
Handouts Index REL/Hispanic World World Religions Intro to Christianity Contact Me In addition to internal contradictions, a host of problems present themselves when the biblical texts are related to historical and scientific research. At left: The Tower of Babel Cosmology The biblical view of the “universe” is that the earth is a flat expanse, held up by […]
Biblical Contradictions – THOMAS SHOEMAKER
An important first step in biblical studies is the establishment of a purpose: the Bible is often purported to give truth in the realm of history (as well as in science and/or theology). But an approach to the Bible that has integrity will not shy away from recognition that the Bible as a witness to […]
Why Moses Did Not Write the Torah – THOMAS SHOEMAKER
At left: “Moses Breaking the Tablets” by Gustave Doré (d. 1883). Click image to enlarge. The Torah — the first five books of the Hebrew Bible — was traditionally held to be the work of Moses, as dictated by God. But starting with some rabbinic voices in the 11th and 12th centuries, doubts were raised. […]