J Michael
Finkelstein would have you thinking the Bible is completely without merit. He takes issue with magnitudes, but the facts of history (the people, the prophecies, the places we wouldn't even know to look for were it not for biblical accounts) certainly are, or he wouldn't be digging himself. There are many of his peers, better scholars and archaeologists, who've properly dealt with his conclusions. See the Biblical Archeological Review.
11 people found this review helpful
A Google user
It is a pleasure to have this very readable book available.....When the authors examine the Stones and the Foundations on the ground, these two form a thread of truth that enlarges our understanding of the Old Testament........As they bring parts of the Old Testament text to the fore, they remind us of the difficulty in interpreting the old Hebrew ---without vowels---, and the care with which we must look at the modern text. A similar unearthing is occurring in Persia where, under Cyrus the Great, interactions occurred between Zoroastrians and Hebrews. ...___... See ++ A HISTORY of ZOROASTRIANISM, Vol 2 ++ ISBN: 9004065067. ..._______... Also in ++ THE BOOK OF JOB ++, ISBN: 0060969598 the author Stephen Mitchell explicitly and beautifully shows the reader how difficult a translation of written text can be.
Marco Bonechi
ever wonder about all the contradictions of the old testament? read this book then. it's refreshing to see a normal story of judah and israel, from facts that are set in stone. puts the bible in its correct dimension of politically motivated propaganda using the usual 'golden age' of the past and founders. nobody really believes that Romulus father was Mars the god or that Romulus existed, nobody should believe any longer that Moses existed. the religious value is not diminished, rather it is explained.
12 people found this review helpful