If West is correct, and I think he is, using archaeological data (sitz im leden) to confirm the bible is mixing theology with pots and seals; apples and Even William G. Dever, who uses pots and pym to confirm the text, says: 'Archaeology at its best provides a graphic illustration of the everyday life of the masses, the vast majority of ordinary folk, the brief lives forgotten by the biblical writers in their obsession with eternity..." On the very same page (What did the Bible writers Know..p 173) Dever continues "that the Hebrew Bible is 'a minority report.' Largely written by priests, prophets, and scribes who were intellectuals, above all , religious reformers, the Bible is highly idealistic." So Dever is mixing two distinct artifacts, text and archaeological datum, from two very different classes, priests and peasants, to confirm text as historical. Because the text are theological at core, Philip Davies asks the next question: "If the biblical literature is essentially an adventure of creativity, then it is necessary to explain why the authors should wish to invent a set of religious beliefs, a religious system (In Search of 'Ancient Israel', p 99).
If West is correct, and I think he is, using archaeological data (sitz im leden) to confirm the bible is mixing theology with pots and seals; apples and Even William G. Dever, who uses pots and pym to confirm the text, says: 'Archaeology at its best provides a graphic illustration of the everyday life of the masses, the vast majority of ordinary folk, the brief lives forgotten by the biblical writers in their obsession with eternity..." On the very same page (What did the Bible writers Know..p 173) Dever continues "that the Hebrew Bible is 'a minority report.' Largely written by priests, prophets, and scribes who were intellectuals, above all , religious reformers, the Bible is highly idealistic." So Dever is mixing two distinct artifacts, text and archaeological datum, from two very different classes, priests and peasants, to confirm text as historical. Because the text are theological at core, Philip Davies asks the next question: "If the biblical literature is essentially an adventure of creativity, then it is necessary to explain why the authors should wish to invent a set of religious beliefs, a religious system (In Search of 'Ancient Israel', p 99).