OSHER 348 - Six Biblical Conundrums and Their Resolution with the Aid of Archaeology and Related Scientific

Combining the latest in archaeological finds from Israel and surrounding areas with Biblical history and extra-Biblical texts, we will address the following six conundrums, covering one per class session: The Biblical creation story vs. astrophysics: Which is right? The flood story: Geology says it happened! Really? The patriarchs: pimps, privateers, or princes? The Exodus story: Did it happen? King David and his dynasty: Did they really rule? Jesus, James, Josephus, and the Dead Sea Scrolls. We will review relevant evidence from archaeology, geology, Assyriology, Egyptology, Greek and Roman historical sources, Semitic epigraphy, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and Biblical narratives.