No, this isn’t meant to be in GD. I’m looking for factual information here, only (even if factual information about disputed, unresolved, or faith-based theories). Basically, can anyone give me a good rundown of what current biblical scholarship says about the history of the Hebrew Bible as a text? Primarily, I’m interested in a secular perspective, but certainly factual information about religious beliefs on the matter is entirely relevant, though let’s all try not to actually debate the merits of these approaches.
Basically, it seems to be something I’m woefully uninformed about, and my attempts to learn more have generally left my eyes glazing over, noticeably more so than even the similar subject of the authorship of the Gospels (although if anyone has links to an especially good synopsis, I’d probably find it enlightening). Hopefully, you guys can provide an easily approachable introduction to the subject.
Mods: I’d really like to keep this devoted to factual information about what biblical scholars say, and humbly ask you to try to nudge the discussion into GQ territory in preference to moving the thread, should things start getting all debatey and stuff. But, of course, it ain’t my board…
:smack: I was pretty sure Cecil never covered it, but never thought about the Staff Reports. Looks like I’ll be reading through at least a huge five-parter (and keeping my fingers crossed). Thanks.
Dex and whatsisname that fell out the window did a terrific job on that. Bump the thread if you end up wanting data for specific books – several people have ready references for that sort of detail.
Meanwhile, Moderator Hat on: Polycarp, a comment like “whatsisname that fell out the window” is pretty much a personal insult that doesn’t belong here. Eutychus did a great job on those reports with me (I basically handled Old Testament and he handled New) and snide little asides are not called for.
FWIW, I assumed **Polycarp **was teasing gently, not insulting. Further FWIW, I don’t have a clue to what window or what person he was referring to. Maybe if I did, I’d see the gross insult.
Just to set matters straight, Eutychus who is a member and former staff here, and whose username I couldn’t remember at the time, adopted it after the story of the guy in Acts of that name who fell asleep during one of Paul’s sermons and fell out the window. It was a (misguided) pun on that – I couldn’t remember the name Eutychus but did remember where he’d gotten the name from. I had forgotten all about the incident you apparently think I was referencing (and which I agree ought to be left to e-mail if touched on at all).
Personal apologies to Eutychus for the unintended insult.
Yes, a mod got whooshed. My apologies, to Polycarp and everyone. I didn’t recall that the historical/mythic Eutychus fell out a window, so I took it as a somewhat snide comment about our Member Eutychus who has been a signifcant contributor to SDSAB and to the Message Boards, etc.
