The Future of Biblical Archaeology: Reassessing Methodologies and Assumptions
The Future of Biblical Archaeology: Reassessing Methodologies and Assumptions
Overview
Description
Editorial Reviews
"The evangelical and conservative (not all Christian) scholars contributing to this volume are optimistic about the future of 'biblical archaeology, ' confirming my view for many years that this inquiry will flourish largely in circles in America, where the Bible is still taken seriously as 'historical' in some sense. However, the secular
parent discipline of Syro-Palestinian (or, increasingly, 'Levantine') archaeology must also survive, without which the conversation between text and artifact becomes an ineffectual and tiresome monologue. This book's contributors, who represent a variety of disciplines, enter the fray about 'the Bible as history' with a valiant attempt to reclaim the middle ground. One does not have to agree with all of their rather positivist views to find their statements a refreshing exception to the biblical 'revisionists' and other radical skeptics who are contemptuous of all serious belief. A must-read book for anyone interested in archaeology, biblical studies, and the dialogue between them."
Peter Machinist
"This is a volume to be greeted warmly. It ranges widely over the issues posed by the intersection of biblical studies, archaeology, and ancient Near Eastern history, illuminating them with sharply focused case analyses and thoughtful reflections on methodology and the course of past scholarly discussion. The book is not shy about its overall attitude, pressing for a cautious, even at points conservative, approach that values what the Hebrew Bible has to say historically. Yet it is also acutely mindful of the many difficulties involved in historical assessment and reconstruction. In sum,
The Future of Biblical Archaeology is a serious, substantial collection of essays that should find a prominent place in the ongoing debates over the Bible and its historical contexts."
Kenneth A. Kitchen
"During the last three decades, controversy over the historicity and factuality of the biblical writings has reached a crescendo in the clash of sharply divided opinions, with a hostile minimalism on one side and more constructive, fact-based scholarship on the other. At the heart of the debate is the nature and role of 'biblical archaeology.' . . . There is now available a hitherto unparalleled wealth of external information from the entire Near East that bears on the biblical text and that enables us to establish a properly founded factual basis for assessing the reliability of that text. The nineteen scholars writing in this invaluable volume illuminate this situation; their readable essays provide a galaxy of detailed insights into a whole range of topics. . . Biblical archaeology indeed has a legitimate and very promising future. Here is a stimulating foretaste!"
Victor H. Matthews
"The periodic self-examination that every discipline requires has been particularly intense for what has been called 'biblical archaeology' and is now referred to by a variety of labels tied to regions and archaeological periods. This collection of articles draws together the various facets of the process -- from field archaeology and the evaluation of artifacts to historical reconstruction to linguistic and textual analysis -- and reestablishes the link between the Bible and archaeology. The authors are all experts in their fields, and many are experienced archaeologists. They provide a coherent and convincing argument against the divorce of biblical studies and ancient Near Eastern history and archaeology."
About the Author
James K. Hoffmeier (PhD, University of Toronto), who has taught at the undergraduate and graduate levels for more than thirty years, is now professor of Old Testament and Near Eastern archaeology at Trinity International University. Born and raised in Egypt, he has been a refugee from war and an alien in two different countries, making him sensitive to immigration issues.
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- Used - Acceptable: All pages and the cover are intact, but shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Pages may include limited notes, highlighting, or minor water damage but the text is readable. Item may but the dust cover may be missing. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting, but the text cannot be obscured or unreadable.
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Overview
Description
Editorial Reviews
"The evangelical and conservative (not all Christian) scholars contributing to this volume are optimistic about the future of 'biblical archaeology, ' confirming my view for many years that this inquiry will flourish largely in circles in America, where the Bible is still taken seriously as 'historical' in some sense. However, the secular
parent discipline of Syro-Palestinian (or, increasingly, 'Levantine') archaeology must also survive, without which the conversation between text and artifact becomes an ineffectual and tiresome monologue. This book's contributors, who represent a variety of disciplines, enter the fray about 'the Bible as history' with a valiant attempt to reclaim the middle ground. One does not have to agree with all of their rather positivist views to find their statements a refreshing exception to the biblical 'revisionists' and other radical skeptics who are contemptuous of all serious belief. A must-read book for anyone interested in archaeology, biblical studies, and the dialogue between them."
Peter Machinist
"This is a volume to be greeted warmly. It ranges widely over the issues posed by the intersection of biblical studies, archaeology, and ancient Near Eastern history, illuminating them with sharply focused case analyses and thoughtful reflections on methodology and the course of past scholarly discussion. The book is not shy about its overall attitude, pressing for a cautious, even at points conservative, approach that values what the Hebrew Bible has to say historically. Yet it is also acutely mindful of the many difficulties involved in historical assessment and reconstruction. In sum,
The Future of Biblical Archaeology is a serious, substantial collection of essays that should find a prominent place in the ongoing debates over the Bible and its historical contexts."
Kenneth A. Kitchen
"During the last three decades, controversy over the historicity and factuality of the biblical writings has reached a crescendo in the clash of sharply divided opinions, with a hostile minimalism on one side and more constructive, fact-based scholarship on the other. At the heart of the debate is the nature and role of 'biblical archaeology.' . . . There is now available a hitherto unparalleled wealth of external information from the entire Near East that bears on the biblical text and that enables us to establish a properly founded factual basis for assessing the reliability of that text. The nineteen scholars writing in this invaluable volume illuminate this situation; their readable essays provide a galaxy of detailed insights into a whole range of topics. . . Biblical archaeology indeed has a legitimate and very promising future. Here is a stimulating foretaste!"
Victor H. Matthews
"The periodic self-examination that every discipline requires has been particularly intense for what has been called 'biblical archaeology' and is now referred to by a variety of labels tied to regions and archaeological periods. This collection of articles draws together the various facets of the process -- from field archaeology and the evaluation of artifacts to historical reconstruction to linguistic and textual analysis -- and reestablishes the link between the Bible and archaeology. The authors are all experts in their fields, and many are experienced archaeologists. They provide a coherent and convincing argument against the divorce of biblical studies and ancient Near Eastern history and archaeology."
About the Author
James K. Hoffmeier (PhD, University of Toronto), who has taught at the undergraduate and graduate levels for more than thirty years, is now professor of Old Testament and Near Eastern archaeology at Trinity International University. Born and raised in Egypt, he has been a refugee from war and an alien in two different countries, making him sensitive to immigration issues.
Condition Guidelines
Books - New and Used
The following guidelines apply to books:
- New: A brand-new copy with cover and original protective wrapping intact. Books with markings of any kind on the cover or pages, books marked as "Bargain" or "Remainder," or with any other labels attached, may not be listed as New condition.
- Used - Good: All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May include "From the library of" labels. Shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Item may be missing bundled media.
- Used - Acceptable: All pages and the cover are intact, but shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Pages may include limited notes, highlighting, or minor water damage but the text is readable. Item may but the dust cover may be missing. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting, but the text cannot be obscured or unreadable.
Note: Some electronic material access codes are valid only for one user. For this reason, used books, including books listed in the Used – Like New condition, may not come with functional electronic material access codes.
Shipping & Delivery
Shipping Fees
- Stevens Books offers FREE SHIPPING everywhere in the United States for ALL non-book orders, and $3.99 for each book.
- Packages are shipped from Monday to Friday.
- No additional fees and charges.
Delivery Times
The usual time for processing an order is 24 hours (1 business day), but may vary depending on the availability of products ordered. This period excludes delivery times, which depend on your geographic location.
Estimated delivery times:
- Standard Shipping: 5-8 business days
- Expedited Shipping: 3-5 business days
Shipping method varies depending on what is being shipped.
Tracking
All orders are shipped with a tracking number. Once your order has left our warehouse, a confirmation e-mail with a tracking number will be sent to you. You will be able to track your package at all times.
Damaged Parcel
If your package has been delivered in a PO Box, please note that we are not responsible for any damage that may result (consequences of extreme temperatures, theft, etc.).
If you have any questions regarding shipping or want to know about the status of an order, please contact us or email to support@stevensbooks.com.
Returns & Refunds
You may return most items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging.
Several types of goods are exempt from being returned. Perishable goods such as food, flowers, newspapers or magazines cannot be returned. We also do not accept products that are intimate or sanitary goods, hazardous materials, or flammable liquids or gases.
Additional non-returnable items:
- Gift cards
- Downloadable software products
- Some health and personal care items
To complete your return, we require a tracking number, which shows the items which you already returned to us.
There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted (if applicable)
- Book with obvious signs of use
- CD, DVD, VHS tape, software, video game, cassette tape, or vinyl record that has been opened
- Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our error
- Any item that is returned more than 30 days after delivery
Items returned to us as a result of our error will receive a full refund,some returns may be subject to a restocking fee of 7% of the total item price, please contact a customer care team member to see if your return is subject. Returns that arrived on time and were as described are subject to a restocking fee.
Items returned to us that were not the result of our error, including items returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address, will be refunded the original item price less our standard restocking fees.
If the item is returned to us for any of the following reasons, a 15% restocking fee will be applied to your refund total and you will be asked to pay for return shipping:
- Item(s) no longer needed or wanted.
- Item(s) returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address.
- Item(s) returned to us that were not a result of our error.
You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly. This time period includes the transit time for us to receive your return from the shipper (5 to 10 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (3 to 5 business days), and the time it takes your bank to process our refund request (5 to 10 business days).
If you need to return an item, please Contact Us with your order number and details about the product you would like to return. We will respond quickly with instructions for how to return items from your order.
Shipping Cost
We'll pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.). In other cases, you will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. If you receive a refund, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund.
Depending on where you live, the time it may take for your exchanged product to reach you, may vary.
If you are shipping an item over $75, you should consider using a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance. We don’t guarantee that we will receive your returned item.
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