From Deseret News archives:
Scholar sees change in biblical archaeology
Caution replaces rash claims to prove Bible
Yet there's no reason to shy away from comparing scientific findings to biblical text, either, says a longtime archaeologist.
The challenge is to use caution, rather than leaping to what seem to be "logical conclusions" about findings that go well beyond the actual science involved with high-profile finds, some of which turn out to be forgeries.
That is according to Aren Maeir, chairman of the department of archaeology and Land of Israel Studies at Bar Ilan University in Tel Aviv. Rather than trying to "verify beliefs according to archaeological remains," Maeir said archaeologists driven by science are leaving those kinds of discussions to theologians. Archaeologists seek to provide information on what they find in the ground, when they believe it originated and how it may or may not play into theological discussions.
The current spate of Near Eastern excavations began not as a way to "prove" the Bible as a historical text, but as a 19th century project by the British army to update its topographical maps.
That approach has "come under a lot of criticism, mostly among 99.9 percent of Israeli archaeologists, but here and there it still exists, usually from very specific groups within the political spectrum in Israel."
Today, there is a move in some quarters of the profession to "dump the whole premise of biblical archaeology and just look at sites from a clearly archaeological perspective, rather than enmesh it with an ideological, religious or nationalistic perspective," he said. Some are looking to abandon the term "biblical archaeology" in favor of "Near Eastern archaeology."
Yet that approach is espoused "by those who have a very strong ideology in the other direction," Maeir said, and don't believe there is any historical accuracy in the Bible.
"Very often these critics come from a very small group that's not necessarily representative of what the public is interested in hearing," he said.
Recent comments
So many issues with these comments:
The shroud has not been...
Thadd Nelson | Dec. 13, 2007 at 2:46 p.m.
RE: False Information. We are learning how and why there are false...
My 2cents | Nov. 27, 2007 at 12:27 p.m.
My reaction to his Shroud comment is the same as others who have...
G.M. Grena | Nov. 25, 2007 at 10:08 a.m.
- Gas prices remain near 2009 high 2:09 p.m.
- 2 stranded hikers rescued 2:00 p.m.
- Groups file suit to stop mine 1:50 p.m.
- Belichick stands by decision 1:38 p.m.
- Adding truth serum to her cereal 1:37 p.m.
- Ex-Marine recruiter pleads guilty 1:37 p.m.
- Of naps, babies, and winter holidays 1:36 p.m.
- Mom seeks to remodel motherhood 1:33 p.m.
- Breastfeeding as weight loss plan 1:32 p.m.
- Food fight? Nah, I'll just wait 1:31 p.m.
- MWC expand? Get rid of deadweight
- Relieved Cougs prep for Falcons
- Wounded Utes limp home
- Jazz rookies had to grow up quickly
- Apostle's wife felt comfort in attack
- TCU stays 4th in AP; Y. 19th, U. 23rd
- Big games keep UHSAA coffers full
- Win in New Mexico good for Y?
- RSL surprised by Chicago's Fire
- Bennett at center of GOP storm
- TCU creams U.
233 - BYU happy to escape with victory
232 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
215 - Will state consider gay rights law?
156 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
131 - RSL heads to MLS title game
131 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - TCU stays 4th in AP; Y. 19th, U. 23rd
111 - Celtics crush Jazz
104 - 5A: Bingham rolls to title game
93
A comprehensive listing of missionary reunions being held this week.
How do you handle kids and contests? Our oldest daughter, 7, is of the...
One of my guilty pleasures is perusing the covers of celebrity magazines...
Why isn't the referee who refused to see the numerous attacks suspended! Ive...
Yes we have SJ figured out and will stomp them on Saturday. We know they will...
Some sportswriters have said Belichick's decision was a slap in the face of...
The Cougars need to be playing on all cylinders this weekend when they play...
It doesn't matter what the property owner wants. The environmentalists have...
I am seriously concerned for the poster who stated that there are "legitimate...
UNLV has always been borderline in FOOTBALL.... Sanford lacked the help to...
The first amendment did not prohibit states from maintaining state relegions....
HealthCare and the Insurance guard dogs they lobby is a crime against...
Funny, this article doesn't mention what Silvia's going to do now with her...

