One question that worries me when reading the Old Testament is what is the historical basis of this document, is it history or a set of folk tales of the development of a nomadic who became a settled nation. Do I have to believe whole-heartedly in the Old Testament to be a Christian, when some of it is actually inaccurate with historical records, such as the order of the events and names in the book of Daniel?
Before the First Book of Samuel what is known of Israel and Judah in any historical records? The answer is almost nothing, if we look at the books preceding 1st Samuel, the nation of Israel is essentially a nomadic people who are moving into the area that we now know as the Holy Land; this nomad nature leaves a problem of finding artefacts and historical information about the twelve tribes of Israel. The big problem is that, can we believe what is in the Bible before the First book of Samuel? The only answer I can come up with is that it depends almost entirely on faith, even then how do we read the books, as historical documents or as a kind of folk tale of what has happened that has been inspired by God.
How can we read the Old Testament in the modern area do we need to have an historical, a theological, philosophical or sociological viewpoint while reading it? Do we need to look at the first six books of the bible as the narrative for the beginning of a nation, such as the legends of King Arthur? Now I personally believe someone such as King Arthur existed and the legend of his life grew up around him in forms of folk stories to help strengthen the underclass of the day, how can I not say that the bible is the same folk tale about justice and the beginning of a nation?
The problem with a folk-tale is it is mainly aimed at a specific audience who have interpreted certain events in specific way how can I understand the biblical stories set in the Bronze Age Middle East when I live in 21st Century England?
Before the First Book of Samuel what is known of Israel and Judah in any historical records? The answer is almost nothing, if we look at the books preceding 1st Samuel, the nation of Israel is essentially a nomadic people who are moving into the area that we now know as the Holy Land; this nomad nature leaves a problem of finding artefacts and historical information about the twelve tribes of Israel. The big problem is that, can we believe what is in the Bible before the First book of Samuel? The only answer I can come up with is that it depends almost entirely on faith, even then how do we read the books, as historical documents or as a kind of folk tale of what has happened that has been inspired by God.
How can we read the Old Testament in the modern area do we need to have an historical, a theological, philosophical or sociological viewpoint while reading it? Do we need to look at the first six books of the bible as the narrative for the beginning of a nation, such as the legends of King Arthur? Now I personally believe someone such as King Arthur existed and the legend of his life grew up around him in forms of folk stories to help strengthen the underclass of the day, how can I not say that the bible is the same folk tale about justice and the beginning of a nation?
The problem with a folk-tale is it is mainly aimed at a specific audience who have interpreted certain events in specific way how can I understand the biblical stories set in the Bronze Age Middle East when I live in 21st Century England?
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