Tammy M. (Tamsbooks) reviewed From Eden to Exile: Unraveling Mysteries of the Bible on + 39 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
First let me say that I was disappointed in this book. Second, let me say that this may not be the fault of the book, but of my expectations.
The title rather promises an Unraveling [of the] Mysteries of the Bible. However, in reality few mysteries are unraveled. They simply either re-confirm known mysteries (i.e., where is the Garden of Eden?) or 'solve' the mystery by debunking the Biblical account (i.e., Joshua could not have fought the battle of Jericho). Much of the debunking happens because no archeology or ancient texts yet support the Biblical account. Thus, this book talks about what is NOT been unraveled at all.
The chapters in this book deal with various Biblical mysteries and offer a list of possible explanations, ranging from the mainstream to the creative (i.e., aliens and the Ark of the Covenant). Then author Eric Cline offers his best judgment based on his background as an archeologist and scientist.
For those who are slightly suspicious of the exclusive use of the scientific epistemological framework for solving mysteries of the Bible, this book will not be to your liking. You will find debunked nearly every possibility that the Biblical stories have basis in actual historical events. This is not the book to confirm a belief in the literal reading of the Bible.
Those who are familiar with the Bible and its mysteries will find nearly nothing new here. Much of the book spends a great deal of time recounting well-known stories. In the end, I felt the simple answer to the mysteries was we dont know. And in the end, theres nothing new in that.
The title rather promises an Unraveling [of the] Mysteries of the Bible. However, in reality few mysteries are unraveled. They simply either re-confirm known mysteries (i.e., where is the Garden of Eden?) or 'solve' the mystery by debunking the Biblical account (i.e., Joshua could not have fought the battle of Jericho). Much of the debunking happens because no archeology or ancient texts yet support the Biblical account. Thus, this book talks about what is NOT been unraveled at all.
The chapters in this book deal with various Biblical mysteries and offer a list of possible explanations, ranging from the mainstream to the creative (i.e., aliens and the Ark of the Covenant). Then author Eric Cline offers his best judgment based on his background as an archeologist and scientist.
For those who are slightly suspicious of the exclusive use of the scientific epistemological framework for solving mysteries of the Bible, this book will not be to your liking. You will find debunked nearly every possibility that the Biblical stories have basis in actual historical events. This is not the book to confirm a belief in the literal reading of the Bible.
Those who are familiar with the Bible and its mysteries will find nearly nothing new here. Much of the book spends a great deal of time recounting well-known stories. In the end, I felt the simple answer to the mysteries was we dont know. And in the end, theres nothing new in that.
