More ‘Archaeology Proves the Bible’ Nonsense
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes
King Tut is coming to the Bible Belt, and Bible readers will find plenty to relate to in treasures from the boy king’s ancient tomb, an Egyptologist says. … James K. Hoffmeier, an archaeologist and writer at Trinity International University in Illinois, created an online guide that makes biblical history pop for viewers of the exhibit’s Egyptian statues, personal items, and pieces of furniture and jewelry. “The Bible provides us with a verbal picture of activities in the ancient world. But sitting over here on this side of the Atlantic 3,000 years later, it is often difficult for us to visualize what this was like,” Hoffmeier said. “This brings it to life.”
Seems ok so far, right? Archaeology sheds light on the putative historical setting of the biblical narrative. But here’s the problem:
No one knows the years the Jews were in Egypt or when they left, and some scholars doubt the story is factual, but Hoffmeier places the exodus within a few hundred years of Tut’s reign around 1330 BC. Seeing a treasure like the golden goblet, which is on display, moves Bible stories out of the realm of imagination and lends them a hard reality, Hoffmeier said.
Exactly how does a gold goblet that is, by Hoffmeir’s own admission, 200 years removed from the supposed date of the exodus, ‘move bible stories out of the realm of imagination and lend them a hard reality’? That’s like suggesting that a Revolutionary War musket sheds light on 20th century America. Items centuries removed from an event don’t illuminate an anachronistic happening!
“We are reminded in the Joseph story about the butler who the story says poured wine for Pharaoh,” he said.
And that, my dears, is one short step from suggesting that the goblet is the very one Joseph must have used!
Joseph died and was mummified, according to the story, a burial practice not used by Jews. The display has a coffin from that era that shows how the patriarch might have been buried.
Ah yes- just as the burial of an 18th century Southerner must surely illustrate the way that a Canadian was buried 200 years later. It makes no sense. It is grotesque misuse of Egyptian history and the sort of misprision of the biblical narrative as is usually only seen in the remote world of ultra-fundamentalism.
The Egyptian technology used to build the gold-veneered jewelry cases and other pieces of furniture is the same technology the Jews would have used to build their sacred and everyday items, Hoffmeier said.
Ready, set, leap!
“What we do have from archaeology and what we know from Egyptian history, when they interface with what we have in the Bible, it fits,” he said.
Um, no, they don’t. Now if Hoffmeir had said that the narrative interfaces with Hellenistic culture he would be on to something. Want to see Hoffmeir’s entire guide? You can here.
