Bible archeology and christianity

**smudge** · 25th July 2010, 05:17 PM

Can anyone link me to any sites with reputable sources for details on the history of the Biblical texts? I'm looking for evidence of when and where the texts originate from and what the evidence is to support this.
Doing a search brings up tons of pro christian sites, I'd rather not have to wade through them!

I'm also interested in current thinking on the spread of Christianity. When, why and how did it spread so widely?

Any thoughts apreciated.

**Watchman** · 25th July 2010, 06:12 PM

You may or may not be aware of this book....."AD 381" by Charles Freeman.... It centres on the 2nd Ecumenical Council held at Constantinople...in order to try to sort out all the anomalies created by the 1st Council which was ,of course , Nicea. Its very well written and researched I finished reading it a few weeks ago and found it very entertaining. Ther early church twisting itself into tighter and tighter knots to try to explain how God the Father is also God the Son and at the same time the Holy Spirit. thus making Jesus his own Father...while brushing quickly over his relationship with Mary..any way..it is definately worth a look...Published by PIMLICO.

**DrS** · 26th July 2010, 12:20 AM

For the origin and historicity of the Bible, have a read of The Bible unearthed: Archaeology's new vision of ancient Israel and the origin of its sacred texts, by Israel Finkelstein and Neil Asher Silberman, published by Simon and Schuster, 2001. ISBN 0684869136

For the spread of Christianity, have a read of The spread of Christianity in the first four centuries, edited by W.V. Harris, published by Brill, 2005. It's volume 27 of Columbia studies in the classical tradition. ISBN 9004147179.

**Tony Williams** · 26th July 2010, 02:56 AM

Originally Posted by DrS

For the origin and historicity of the Bible, have a read of The Bible unearthed: Archaeology's new vision of ancient Israel and the origin of its sacred texts, by Israel Finkelstein and Neil Asher Silberman, published by Simon and Schuster, 2001. ISBN 0684869136

Seconded - I've recommended this one before. It does only deal with the first five books of the Old Testament, though.

**smudge** · 26th July 2010, 07:12 AM

Thanks to all!

Yes, I have the "Bible Unearthed" book in my Amazon 'to buy' list. I have a couple of other things I simply must read first!

I was hoping someone could give me some quick pointers or web links, I understand this may be tricky or not possible. Is just that I'm involved in a debate and although I have my own ideas in this area my knowledge of the evidence is a mite thin.

Has anyone read Robin Lane Fox's 'Unauthorized Version; Truth and Fiction in the Bible'? I'm wondering if it's worth a read.

Thanks.

**Pebble** · 26th July 2010, 07:50 AM

There is no shortage of stuff on the net dealing with this question, the problems you will come up against are validating the interpretation put on the evidence and being certain that the evidence cited actually exists.

e.g.
http://www.theskepticalreview.com/tsrmag/982front.html

http://www.talkorigins.org/indexcc/CH/CH110.html

http://www.thebibleskeptic.com/appendixa.html

The lazy approach (the one I like) is to use the net to narrow down the arguments, and then use the source books to check the accuracy. In a debate, it is unusual to want to make more than 4 or 5 key points, so that narrows things down further.

**DrS** · 26th July 2010, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by smudge

Has anyone read Robin Lane Fox's 'Unauthorized Version; Truth and Fiction in the Bible'? I'm wondering if it's worth a read.

Thanks.

Not read it, but RLF is about as sound as they get. Yes it will definitely be worth a read.

**smudge** · 26th July 2010, 07:07 PM

Originally Posted by Pebble

The lazy approach (the one I like) is to use the net to narrow down the arguments, and then use the source books to check the accuracy. In a debate, it is unusual to want to make more than 4 or 5 key points, so that narrows things down further.

Thanks Pebble!

Originally Posted by DrS

Not read it, but RLF is about as sound as they get. Yes it will definitely be worth a read.

Thanks. Another to add to the Amazon list.
Think I'll have to order the 'Bible Unearthed' one.
Does anyone else suffer from piling books up and obsessing about the order they must be read in?! And can anyone put me in touch with a good therapist...?