The Archaeology Debate: “Is the bible a reliable source of
history?” This question is at the root of a controversy in the
archaeology of Iron Age Israel (remember, the Iron Age
encompasses King David). Related to it, is the question, “Do the
archaeological layers coordinate with the accounts in the
bible?” Current trends in Israeli Archaeology address this
question and come to various conclusions. In today’s entry, I
want to let you know about the archaeology behind the answer
from Tel Aviv University, the major players from Tel Aviv, and
then suggest the role that Gezer plays in the debate.
Theologically, the stakes are high. Even the search for reliable
history suggests the possibility of corruption, forgery,
propaganda, etc. And, since it is well known that the Hebrew
bible is our primary Davidic source, the question quickly loses
its innocence. It is religious, and it is encumbered with all
kinds of meaning tied to conclusions about scripture and
revelation. So behind the question there is an even bigger