The biblical account of the Israelite exodus from Egypt is one of the most enduring narratives ever told. It is a foundational event for several world religions and resonates across cultures with its timeless themes of redemption and deliverance. Yet despite its legacy, there is no scholarly consensus regarding its date, and some no longer view the exodus as a historical event. Five Views on the Exodus looks at competing views on the historicity, chronology, and theological implications of the exodus, bringing together experts in the fields of biblical studies, Egyptology, and archaeology to discuss and debate the most vexing questions about the exodus. The five views presented are: The Fifteenth-Century (Early-Date) Exodus-Scott Stripling, The Thirteenth-Century (Late-Date) Exodus-James K. Hoffmeier, The Thirteenth-Century Hyksos/Levite-Led Exodus-Peter Feinman, The Twelfth-Century Exodus-Gary A. Rendsburg, The Exodus as Cultural Memory-Ronald Hendel, As readers will discover, there is a mountain of circumstantial evidence about the exodus that requires interpretation, sparking debate about questions like whether the exodus took place, how many people it involved, and when it occurred. Each contributor offers his own view on these questions, and the other contributors respond constructively.
The responses and rejoinders that follow the main essays allow contributors to interact with convicted civility. In addition, general editor Mark D. Janzen provides a helpful introduction to the debate along with his reflections and a summary of the issues in his concluding remarks. This is a useful resource for readers who want to better understand the current scholarly positions on the exodus, allowing them to weigh the evidence and come to their own conclusions. The Counterpoints series provides a forum for comparison and critique of different views on issues important to Christians. Counterpoints books address two categories. Church Life and Bible & Theology. Complete your library with other books in the Counterpoints series.
Book jacket.