Wednesday, September 06, 2017

The Exodus as history?

THE BIBLE AND INTERPRETATION:
The Exodus: History Recaptured

I believe we can get at what probably took place in Egypt over three millennia ago. That would be a lot. But we have much more. We have evidence that without the historical anchor of the exodus, we would not have had the rise of the idea of monotheism. And without the experience of that returning group from Egypt, we might not have had the ethic of caring for the stranger. Monotheism and loving others as ourselves—two radical developments, major developments, in human consciousness became embodied in the heart of Western religion.

Chapter from: The Exodus (HarperOne, 2017).

By Richard Elliott Friedman
Ann & Jay Davis Professor of Jewish Studies
University of Georgia
September 2017
Professor Friedman appears to be swimming against the tide on this one. But tides do turn ...

The chapter is the first chapter of the book, which sets the stage for what is to come. I don't know what that is. You would have to buy the book to find out.

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