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The History and Archaeology of the Bible

By: Jean-Pierre Isbouts, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Jean-Pierre Isbouts
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Summary

The findings of historians and archaeologists open a thrilling world of discovery as they bring their methods and insights to the iconic stories of the Bible. These 24 content-rich lessons take you on a multidimensional journey through the Bible, from Genesis to the Crucifixion, through the lens of the latest historical and archaeological research.

Through Professor Isbouts’ enthralling commentary, you’ll uncover eye-opening perspectives on biblical events such as:

  • Genesis - Examine evidence from ancient Sumer of a monumental flood that happened 5,000 years ago and study Mesopotamian architectural forms that may correlate with the story of the Tower of Babel;
  • The Exodus from Egypt - Follow the actual path of Moses and the Israelites, a well-traveled artery through mining regions, oases, and trade routes from Egypt to the Midian, the region southeast of Sinai;
  • The Kingship of David - Relive David’s divisive rule as king of the Hebrews and visit structures excavated in the “City of David”, which may be the core of David’s residential and administrative complex;
  • Israel under the Assyrians - Learn how an ancient Assyrian clay document confirms the Bible’s account of the Assyrian invasion of Judah and view the magnificent Assyrian tableaux that depict the siege of the city of Lachish, described in the Bible; and
  • The Early Life of Jesus - Take a penetrating look at the peasant revolts and bloodshed in Galilee during the youth of Jesus, after which Joseph and Jesus were likely to have been conscripted laborers for the Romans.

Deeply fascinating for those who have an interest in the Abrahamic faiths, ancient civilizations, and archaeology, The History and Archaeology of the Bible throws fresh and revealing light on the iconic scriptures that - in far-reaching ways - have shaped our world.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2021 The Great Courses (P)2021 The Teaching Company, LLC
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Really interesting course of lectures

Explains the social background of the part of the world that Jesus would have be born into which gives excellent context to the writings in the bible.

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A Fantastical Tale of the History of the Bible

Unfortunately, the author has a completely outdated, unfounded version of Biblical history. His narrative makes many ridiculous assumptions in an effort to validate the fables of the 'Old Testament'.

The 'Old Testament' was written around the 7th-6th Centuries BCE. Archeological evidence from the last fifty years has exposed the 'Biblical narrative' as completely FALSE. Many places supposedly visited or mentioned as 'powerful' were not even inhabited in the times stated. Jerusalem was a small village in the 10th Century BCE. Assumptions about trade routes are wrong. Powerful empires are misrepresented. Solomon and David are given an embellished importance -if they even existed at all. The Exodus and Conquest of Canaan did not/could not have happened: Egypt was all-powerful in the whole region west of Mesopotamia at the time.

It's clear, the original authors based their accounts on only what they thought they knew of the history of the region at their time. Consequently, their writings -an attempt to glorify a defeated people, were badly misguided. They constructed a self-serving fantasy.

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not much history or archaeology here!

if I wanted Bible lessons from a committed Christian I would go to church.

very poor

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Not what it claims to be

This is neither academic or a study of archeology but this person's interpretation of the Bible.

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Deceptive Rubbish

Not what it claims to be. Not an academic treatment of the topic but simply a Christian looking for ways to buttress his faith. Completely misrepresents a number of topics in the short time I could bear to listen.

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