Although scholars have for centuries primarily been interested in using the study of ancient Israel to explain; illuminate; and clarify the biblical story; Megan Bishop Moore and Brad E. Kelle describe how scholars today seek more and more to tell the story of the past on its own terms; drawing from both biblical and extrabiblical sources to illuminate ancient Israel and its neighbors without privileging the biblical perspective. Biblical History and Israel’s Past provides a comprehensive survey of how study of the Old Testament and the history of Israel has changed since the middle of the twentieth century. Moore and Kelle discuss significant trends in scholarship; trace the development of ideas since the 1970s; and summarize major scholars; viewpoints; issues; and developments.
#1073442 in Books 2003-07-02Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x .70 x 6.25l; .93 #File Name: 0802826873284 pages
Review
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Well done overview of the ScrollsBy E. JohnsonEverywhere I turn; I hear the name "Jodi Magness." She is highly respected in the field of biblical archaeology; and for good reason. She is a scholar who knows what she is talking about and generally can put her understanding into English that can be understood by the average layperson. I have studied the scrolls for many years; even walking into Cave 1 three different times. I love the stories; history; and mystery. Professor Magness lays out the details and comes to conclusions that are reasonable and honest. Perhaps this is not the first book a newbie picks up to get an introduction; but it certainly ought to follow soon after. Thus; I do recommend this book.14 of 20 people found the following review helpful. No Fringe Theories AllowedBy Virgil BrownJodi Magness points out in the introduction to her book that there are two reasons why fringe theories about the Dead Sea Scrolls are numerous. The second is that "we tend to side with the underdogs." The first reason is that controversy sells. Magness shows why the available archaeological evidence supports the basic conclusions of Roland de Vaux. The scrolls and the Qumran settlement are related. The scrolls were owned by a sectarian group. The settlement is not a villa rustica. Etc. Yet Magness does not rubber stamp the work of de Vaux. For example she sets forth her own chronology of the settlement.This book is not for people who subscribe to fringe theories. There are no Christian writings found among the scrolls. Nor are the scrolls a depository of the Temple either in 62 BCE or 68 CE. There used to be a sect known as the Essenes who lived at Khirbet Qumran...2 of 3 people found the following review helpful. High Quality WorkBy J.B. HughesSince this is only the second work concerning Qumran that I have read I am not sure how helpful this review will be. However; I found this book to be a great read for the most part and informative concerning the matters surrounding Qumran.The first thing that I noticed about this book was the accessibility of it. Although; I have not studied Qumran in detail I minored in anthropology and this gave me an edge into the language used in the field. Most people reading this book may not have the same background but Dr. Magness takes time to explain a few things about dating methods and always tries to make sure that she explains archaeological terms in clear non-technical language. In other words; Dr. Magness is not merely interested in talking to academics; or hearing the sound of her own voice; but she wants to talk to general audiences.The work that she does here surveys the archaeological findings of De Vaux who excavated the site but did not publish a detailed analysis of his finds. She examines his findings and attempts to interpret what this community looked like. She makes a very good case for the idea that Qumran was not a military fort or a private villa. There seems to have been a community there and like Stegemann she thinks that this community was responsible for the production of the scrolls themselves. Her history of the finding of the scrolls by the Bedouins was scant compared with Stegemann who gave more detail to the matter. This is of course a trivial matter as her main goal had nothing to do with providing the background to the finding of the scrolls.I think she does well interacting with historical texts such as "The Community Rule" and established a solid case for the unique style of pottery assemblages at Qumran. She explains the strange purification rituals of the Essenes showing that many of the finds such as the "miqva'ot" (bath) and the style of the pottery lend themselves as evidence for Essene occupation. I found the purification process and the community meal to interesting and especially in comparing with Biblical texts. Many of the habits described seem to resemble (imperfectly) some of the statements and ideas found in the writings attributed to the Apostle John. It certainly raises questions as to what kind of contact the biblical writer might have had with the Essene population.I also thought she gave a fair argument for the dating issue which I cannot say is necessarily correct without further study. De Vaux thought there were 4 periods of occupations. Period IA ca. 130-100 B.C.E. was thought to be the first occupation but due to a number of problems such as almost complete lack of coinage and pottery shards (among others) Magness believes this period did not exist. Period Ib De Vaux dated from ca. 100-31 B.C.E. but Magness suggests that the community was inhabited 100-50 B.C.E. and after the a massive Earthquake was uninhabited till 31 B.C.E. After this period both scholars agree on Period III and IV.Overall; I think the book was well done. She made a fair argument for women as part of the Qumran community but it was not necessarily quite convincing (Although; I am inclined to agree.) Despite some boring spots the book was overall very engaging and enlightening.
