1. UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE
THE QUESTION OF INTERPRETATION

2. THE TRADITIONAL METHOD
Often called the conservative approach
Dominant method until the 18th century
Basic tenets:
Accepts biblical documents at face value
Assumes the historicity of the events described
Biblical documents are evaluated critically in light of all the evidence
Accepts the reality of divine (supernormal) intervention in history (See The Promise and the Blessing, p. 29)

3. THE MODERN APPROACH Also called the liberal or critical view
Gained popularity in the 19th century
Views biblical documents as historically suspect at best
Understands the Bible from a philosophical point of view that
rejects the supernatural (miracles)
reflects a spirit of naturalism (everything must have a natural explanation)

4. THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MODERN VIEW
Gained popularity in the 19th century when new theories about the origin of biblical texts were developed – the documentary hypotheses
Popularized by the German scholar Julius Wellhausen who built on the work of others
Proposed a four document theory for the development of the Pnetateuch:
The “J” (Yahwist) document – from the predominance of the use of the personal name of God (Jahwe in German)
The “E” document – from the predominance of the use of the Hebrew word Elohim (God)
The “JE” document – the combining of “J” and “E” into one document
The “D” document – the book of Deuteronomy
The “P” document – from the German Priesterschrift (priestly source)

5. WELLHAUSEN’S ASSUMPTIONS
Since Moses lived before the development of writing, he could not have written the Pentateuch.
The use of different names implies different authors.
Repetitions and duplicate accounts imply separate sources.
Religion evolved from a primitive stage to a more developed stage and this is reflected in the Bible.
(See The Promise and the Blessing, p. 32)

6. THE TRADITIONAL VIEW OF GOD: OUR APPROACH
God may (and does) intervene in history.
Lesser spiritual beings (angels and demons) also intervene.
Supernormal (supernatural) events must be viewed critically.
Science can show us what normally occurs and is based on repetition.
Miracles, by definition, are not normal and not necessarily repetitive.
Science can neither prove or disprove miracles.
(See The Promise and the Blessing, p. 32)

7. THE VALUE AND LIMITATIONS OF ARCHEOLOGY

8. THE PROBLEM OF HISTORICAL LOSSES
Most archeological sites are abandoned habitations which have suffered loss over time.
Many were subject to destruction, invasion and looting, and migration.
Natural processes have produced erosion and loss.
Written records, although most valuable, suffer deterioration due to the types of materials used.

9. THE PROBLEM OF LIMITED EXCAVATION
Relatively few sites have been excavated.
Of those found and studies, few have been completely excavated.
It is estimated that there are over 450 unexcavated sites in modern Israel alone.
Several factors prevent complete study of these sites:
Politics
Weather
Funding
Access

10. SEIBENBERG HOUSE

12. THE PROBLEM OF NONWRITTEN SOURCES

16. THE PROBLEM OF DATING
Dating objects is not always a precise science and recalculations are sometimes necessary.
Carbon-14: scientific method which measures the disintegration of radioactive carbon present in organic material (not always reliable).
Stratigraphy – oldest layers of earth are the earliest
Seriation – based on the idea that artifacts change over time
The most precise method is based on written evidence.

18. THE PROBLEM OF HISTORY
Historiography – the way historical events are recorded has changed over time.
Many figures important to biblical history are never mentioned in extra-biblical documents.
Early writing either was not concerned about history or was influenced by beliefs or by personal or national agendas.
We cannot assume that modern historiographic methods were used in antiquity.

19. After the kingship descended from heaven, the kingship was in Eridug
After the kingship descended from heaven, the kingship was in Eridug. In Eridug, Alulim became king; he ruled for years. Alaljar ruled for years. 2 kings; they ruled for years. Then Eridug fell and the kingship was taken to Bad-tibira. In Bad-tibira, En-men-lu-ana ruled for years. En-men-gal-ana ruled for years. Dumuzid, the shepherd, ruled for years. 3 kings; they ruled for years. Then Bad-tibira fell (?) and the kingship was taken to Larag. In Larag, En-sipad-zid-ana ruled for years.