Problems of Ancient History
What counts as evidence?– Secularist: ancient records, archeological evidence
interpreted through an evolutionary lens– Christian: The Bible, ancient records, archeological
evidence interpreted through a Biblical lens
Problems (2)
Example of different approaches– Matthews: primitive man slowly gropes his way out
of animal barbarism, mysteriously learns to farm after millions of years, mysteriously learns to write and produce culture after thousands more years
– Bible: man is created in God’s image, learns agriculture, music, metalworking quickly (Genesis 1-4)
Chronology Issues
The problem: no unbroken timeline until the Romans
Centrality of Egypt to chronological construction
Pitfalls of Egyptian chronology– Non-linear view of time– Practice of dual reigns of kings
Chronology Issues (2)
“Current Consensus Chronology” (CCC)– Sumer and Egypt ca. 3000 B.C.
Issues for Christians– Genealogical record of Genesis 5, 11– Flood account
Christian Chronology (Ussher, etc.)– Noah’s Flood—24th or 23rd century B.C.
Pre-history Timeline
CCC– Millions of years . . .– Ice Age– “Agricultural Revolution”
Biblical Chronology– Creation– Flood– Tower of Babel
The Genesis Account
Abram/Abraham– Mesopotamian (Ur of the Chaldees)– God’s Call; the “Promised Land”– Genesis 12:1-8
Jacob/Israel– Abraham’s grandson– 2 wives, 2 concubines, 12 sons, 1 daughter
Israel and Egypt
Centuries in Egypt– Joseph: 11th son of Jacob– Genesis 41– Slavery
The Exodus– Moses the Levite– God’s Call (burning bush)– Ten Plagues– The Red Sea: Exodus 14
Becoming a Nation
Journey to Sinai– Ten Commandments– Golden Calf
Years of Wandering Invasion of Canaan (15th
century?)– Crossing the Jordan– Jericho: Joshua 6
Period of the Judges
15th-11th centuries Cycle of disobedience, judgment, repentance,
restoration Deborah Gideon: Judges 6-7 Samson Samuel
United Kingdom
Call for a King (1 Samuel 8) Saul (1020-1000) – killed by
Philistines David (1000-970)
– Fight with Goliath: 1 Samuel 17
– One of Saul’s lieutenants– Defeated the Philistines– Author of many of the Psalms
United Kingdom (2)
Solomon (970-930)– “Wisest man in the world”– Building projects
Temple Royal palace
– OT author Proverbs Song of Songs Ecclesiastes (probably)
Divided Kingdom
Reign of Rehoboam– Oppression– Jeroboam and the northern secession
Northern ten tribes Israel (Samaria) Southern two tribes Judah (Jerusalem)
Israel
Succession of wicked kings– Jeroboam and idolatry– Ahab– Jehu
Prophets fail to bring lasting change Assyrian invasion (722) Elimination as a separate people