There's a story (in Kings I believe) about there being found in the Temple a scroll of the Law, that seemed to be hitherto unknown. This was in the time of Josiah.
Scholars tend to believe this was Deuteronomy, and that it was written at that time, and not merely "found." Interestingly, the book of Deuteronomy supports the reforms which Josiah made.
I'm not asking for evidence that this is right or wrong.
I'm asking only, does this ever make you doubt? How do you deal with the doubts? Do you truly never doubt when confronted with things like this? Honest answers please!
Thanks.
2007-01-17 09:14:45 · 11 answers · asked by Heron By The Sea 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Joshua was written after Deuteronomy
2007-01-17 10:07:14 · update #1
You seem to be referring to the "Documentary Hypothesis" proposed in the 19th century before the pursuit of Biblical Archeology was invented to compare details in biblical stories to details that can be confirmed from archeology to try to date some of these stories to see if they were products of an early culture or a later culture.
The documentary hypothesis is based on the assumption that divine revelation from God is impossible, so there must be some other (naturalistic) explanation for where the Law of Moses came from, besides God. I see nothing wrong with honest inquiry if it prompts one to go out and look for evidence with an open mind, but keep in mind that often people who come up with such theories are already closed minded to traditional (supernatural) explanations of the authorship of these books, so you have to take what they say with a grain of salt. Atheists are no more objective than anyone else; we all can be blinded by our basic assumptions to the point of overlooking the obvious. To date, there has been no archeological evidence to support the Documentary Hypothesis, and there is archeological evidence to suggest an early date for the book of Deuteronomy. Speculation is not a substitute for evidence, nor is a lack of evidence in of itself, evidence of absence.
Granted, this is not conclusive, but faith is based on probabilities, not certainties.
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BTW, the passage that you seem to be refering to is 2 Kings 22:8, where King Josiah found the scroll of the Law of Moses in the temple
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...Fourteenth, the Jews accepted the Law as Mosaic during King Josiah's reform in 621BC. It is therefore hard to believe that a large portion of the Pentateuch had just been written. The Jews of that day could not have been so naive. It seems more likely that they had good reasons to believe the documents they had were copies of the ancient writings of Moses and not recent creations...
~by Dr. Phil Fernandes
A chapter from his doctoral dissertation
2007-01-17 10:08:06 · answer #1 · answered by Randy G 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It was II Kings chapter 22.
Josiah was of the lineage of David so it couldnt be around the time of the book of Deuteronomy as so called scholars suppose.
The way God can preserve His Word and forgive His people only brings an increase in faith.
2007-01-17 17:25:32 · answer #2 · answered by Sirius 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The scroll was unknown to Josiah. Others before him knew of it's existence, but because of the infidelity of the leaders before him, it was hidden away and never used. After it was found , Josiah implemented the laws therein. This does not diminish my belief in the bible.
2007-01-17 17:22:22 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Its reading the Bible that makes me doubt the bible. Deuteronomy is one of the most embarrassing sections if you ask me.
I confirmed my doubts by becoming an Atheist. :)
Any way i always love your Posts!!!!
2007-01-17 17:24:38 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why not read it like it was written, that they found it. Deuteronomy is referred to in Joshua. Why do you assume it was written then.
2007-01-17 17:44:52 · answer #5 · answered by ysk 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course this is only one of thousands of reasons for doubt. Christens never doubt. Their minds are so closed to doubt they have tightly locked themselves inside a cocoon of ignorance they are so afraid of loosing their La La Land of Eternity. I would love to see them burst forth from their cocoon into a Glorious Butterfly of Knowledge but they are sore afraid they will be gobbled up by their fantasy boogie man the Devil they prefer to stay frozen in time. OO
2007-01-17 17:31:29 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
No more than any of the other books people write these days.
.
There are no shortage of authors, writing all kinds of stuff.
.
I think I will stick with the Bible. It has been accepted and proven for many years.
One pundit isn't going to change that.
.
2007-01-17 17:31:10 · answer #7 · answered by Jimmy Dean 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The fact that the scroll was preserved and eventually found by Godly men actually has just the opposite effect on my belief in scripture. Or, am I missing your point here?
2007-01-17 17:20:30 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
You can make all sorts of excuses. Just pop out a "god did it, that just shows how damn powerful he is!" and you can restore that ever so useful faith.
I doubt the bible for many reasons, not just one.
2007-01-17 17:28:42 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Who cares what some Bronze Age Sheep Herders had to say...?
NO!
2007-01-17 17:39:55 · answer #10 · answered by Rembrandt 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋