I've not watched a great deal of television this month but one programme that really fascinated was 'The Bibles Hidden Secrets' on BBC2 on Tuesday nights at 9pm. Don't get me wrong I've not gone all religious, that I'll never do but this programme presented by the very beautiful Dr Francesca Stavrakopoulou a biblical scholar and lecturer from Exeter university was fascinating and raised some real questions regarding faith.
I liked her non-confrontational approach when dealing with members of the Jewish and Christian faith, she posed her questions, let them have their say and then after gave her interpretation and perceptions. Of course hers where based on evidence from archeology, conflicting biblical texts (of which there is many) and historical evidence. The three programmes challenged the story of David and Goliath, If ancient people of that era indulged in polytheism and the garden of Eden.
The set of programmes went on to illustrate how things in the bible have been covered up, rewrote and how Israel as a state has probably been economical with the truth regarding certain historical sites in the interest of their own national identity. It was compelling watching, and Dr Stavrakopoulou's arguments and observations backed by solid evidence certainly made sense. Jewish and Christian people on the programme of course stuck to their blinded by faith script and wouldn't contemplate observations and arguments put to them, no shocks there then?
The programme was all down to earth stuff, was there a biblical garden of Eden, nope but kings of that time did build lavish gardens and if it was to get destroyed then why not write the whole episode up differently? Did people from that period and area worship other gods? Almost definitely, earlier scripts mention it, later scripts cover it up and there's hard archaeological evidence to back it up. Personally I hope the very captivating Dr Stavrakopoulou releases a book to accompany the series, and even better does a signing at my local Waterstones!
I liked her non-confrontational approach when dealing with members of the Jewish and Christian faith, she posed her questions, let them have their say and then after gave her interpretation and perceptions. Of course hers where based on evidence from archeology, conflicting biblical texts (of which there is many) and historical evidence. The three programmes challenged the story of David and Goliath, If ancient people of that era indulged in polytheism and the garden of Eden.
The set of programmes went on to illustrate how things in the bible have been covered up, rewrote and how Israel as a state has probably been economical with the truth regarding certain historical sites in the interest of their own national identity. It was compelling watching, and Dr Stavrakopoulou's arguments and observations backed by solid evidence certainly made sense. Jewish and Christian people on the programme of course stuck to their blinded by faith script and wouldn't contemplate observations and arguments put to them, no shocks there then?
The programme was all down to earth stuff, was there a biblical garden of Eden, nope but kings of that time did build lavish gardens and if it was to get destroyed then why not write the whole episode up differently? Did people from that period and area worship other gods? Almost definitely, earlier scripts mention it, later scripts cover it up and there's hard archaeological evidence to back it up. Personally I hope the very captivating Dr Stavrakopoulou releases a book to accompany the series, and even better does a signing at my local Waterstones!
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