Exodus Story In Doubt

[David Sklansky]

Most scholars don't think that there were Jewish slaves in Ancient Egypt. Let alone that they were freed by Moses. Or that he used ten plagues. I'm talking historians, archaeologists, anthropologists, whatever. At least I think that is true. Check it out yourself by googling "truth of exodus". If it isn't the majority of scholars it is close to it. Furthermore those who still believe only because of the bible rather than the evidence should really be put in the doubtful category.

This subject was discussed once before. It came up again in another thread when Not Ready claimed that the truth of exodus was as necessary for his belief as the truth of the ressurection. I gave him a chance to reconsider and he refused. He dismissed the historians as biased. My reply made a distinction between scientist-ressurection and scientist-exodus. I'd like to reprint it here as it was buried in an off topic thread.


Not Ready:

"If all you're planning to do is cite a poll of historians that the majority think exodus is a myth that won't do it."

Me:


Suppose it was 90% of historians and archaeologists?

Here is why the situation is different regarding exodus as compared to something like the resurrection.

Suppose a scientist was asked if he has any reason,aside from the bible, to believe the ressurection happened. Even the most religious scientist would probably say no. But that fact shakes no one's faith because it is a one time event involving one incident. So what if scientists can find no evidence of it.

But the situation is different with a large scale historical story like exodus. Forget the atheist historians. There are surely theist historians who also seriously doubt the story. AND MORE IMPORTANTLY there are surely many other theist historians who don't doubt the story only because it is in the bible! They would admit that the facts would normally indicate to them that exodus didn't happen EXCEPT for the fact that they believe the bible.

Now I'm actually not sure whether the previous sentence is true. That's for others to find out. But if it is true, it can't be dismissed away as easily as the fact that scientists say they see no evidence of individual miracles. It makes no sense that so many modern day experts are sure the story is false unless it probably is.

The bottom line is that if the great majority of experts disagree with exodus OR agree with it ONLY because the Bible talks about it, you have a serious problem on your hands.