As we close this blog for the GCTS 2015 edition of the Archaeology Study Tour in Israel and Jordan, we are moving from the "tour" dimension of the adventure, to the "study" part. People often say that field work only represents the tip of the iceberg. The real hard work takes place in libraries, labs, and in the quiet surroundings of our studies. This is also true of this tour. While the experience of visiting sites and learning about different cultural phases in the southern Levant was certainly enriching, there is so much more to "dig" and search in terms of historical geography, biblical-historical connections, and of, course, the nature of the material culture in the land.
To enable those who would want to "dig deeper," the following reading list represents suggestions that will provide further (and sometimes) in depth contexts for the sites we visited. My top ten list goes from less to more technical general resources.
10. The NIV Archaeology Study Bible
An excellent entry-level resource into the world of the Bible from an evangelical perspective. While the title says "archaeology" the entries are more historical in nature than archaeological, which makes the information very user-friendly.
9. Biblical Archaeology Review
A well-known and popular magazine which provides an excellent resource to recent archaeological discoveries related to the Bible. Graphics and photographs are also great resources. While the publication is not evangelical, it is usually quite friendly to the historicity of the Bible.
8. Associates for Biblical Research
A conservative evangelical group who focuses on a traditional apologetic approach to the relationship between archaeology and the Scriptures. Ardent proponents of the early date of the Exodus.
7. On the Reliability of the Old Testament
A veritable "tour de force" by one of the foremost Egyptologists of our generation, Kenneth Kitchen. He systematically addresses typical criticisms leveled at the Scripture and skillfully argues for the reliability of the Old Testament as an historical record. This book assumes a solid understanding of Biblical history, which can be gained here and especially here
6. The Sacred Bridge
The late Anson Rainey's historical-geographical magnum opus. Prof. Rainey was a long-time visiting faculty at Jerusalem University College and was probably the world's foremost expert on questions of historical geography in the Holy Land (not always sympathetic to evangelical understandings of Scripture).
5. Near Eastern Archaeology
A semi-technical magazine published by the American Schools of Oriental Research, North America's main scholarly society in near Eastern studies (which includes the southern Levant).
4. Anchor Bible Dictionary
A must-have resource for serious students of the Bible which includes excellent essays on the history and archaeology of many sites connected to the Bible (written mostly from a non-evangelical perspective). Warning: Brutal price tag
3. The Archaeology of Ancient Israel
Edited by Amon Ben-Tor. Excellent collection of essays on the history and archaeology of Ancient Israel with beautiful illustrations and photographs.
2. Archaeology and the Land of the Bible by Amihai Mazar
The "Bible" of any would-be serious students of archaeology in the southern Levant. Even though in serious need of an update (written in 1991), this is still the gold standard to understand the archaeology of Israel. Read this book three times (or more) with great care and you will become conversant with the "syntax" of the material-culture of Israel and Palestine.
1. The New Encyclopedia of Archaeological Excavations in the Holy Land
The next best thing to reading the actual site reports by the excavators. Each entry includes an historical summary of the site following by a detailed overview of the stratigraphy and the material finds. Also in need of updating, but still unmatched in its scope and depth.
Beyond this reading list, the only thing left would be to volunteer on a dig. Biblical Archaeology Review provides a list every January of expeditions that welcome volunteers.
Beyond these secondary sources, the best resource will remain the text of Scripture itself. There is no substitute for an up close and personal reading of the text in order to gain a sense of the historical development of Salvation History. Blessings as you seek to trust and obey Him in the vineyard to which He has called you!
No comments:
Post a Comment