History of Ancient Israel: Textual Context

In this study, we will be looking at the amazing people and very human stories of those who shaped the history of ancient Israel. We will examine their stories of love, betrayal, conflict, faith, and heroism—stories that mirror those of human beings from all generations. As you read and study the Bible, you will see how history repeats itself even though the historical context is much different. Also, as an adjunct to this study, we will briefly describe how textual analysis, and archaeological findings help us better understand how the text relates to what can be discovered using independent means of verification. In this story, the acts of God and the lives of human beings intersect to aid us in the quest to understand who we are as spiritual creatures.

In this lecture, we look at the various approaches to biblical study such as textual analysis, archaeology, and the study of ancient documents. This study is meant to set the stage for the study of ancient Israel and its main characters.