From Eden to Exile: Unraveling Mysteries of the Bible by Eric H. Cline (PDF)

Description

Eric H. Cline uses the tools of his trade to examine some of the most puzzling mysteries from the Hebrew Bible and, in the process, to narrate the history of ancient Israel. Combining the academic rigor that has won the respect of his peers with an accessible style that has made him a favorite with readers and students alike, he lays out each mystery, evaluates all available evidence—from established fact to arguable assumption to far-fetched leap of faith—and proposes an explanation that reconciles Scripture, science, and history.Numerous amateur archaeologists have sought some trace of Noah’s Ark to meet only with failure. But, though no serious scholar would undertake such a literal search, many agree that the Flood was no myth but the cultural memory of a real, catastrophic inundation, retold and reshaped over countless generations. Likewise, some experts suggest that Joshua’s storied victory at Jericho is the distant echo of an earthquake instead of Israel’s sacred trumpets—a fascinating, geologically plausible theory that remains unproven despite the best efforts of scientific research.Cline places these and other Biblical stories in solid archaeological and historical context, debunks more than a few lunatic-fringe fantasies, and reserves judgment on ideas that cannot yet be confirmed or denied. Along the way, our most informed understanding of ancient Israel comes alive with dramatic but accurate detail in this groundbreaking, engrossing, entertaining book by one of the rising stars in the field.

User’s Reviews

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐Mr. Cline? I’d like to thank you first of all. Your quest for truth, valid data and everything that goes with that is to be commended. For example, I read a one-star review in which the commentator chided you for leaving several of your investigations “open”. Personally, I think that acknowledging that a subject has too little real data from which to make a pronouncement is to be commended. All that said, I wish more writers of any historical subject treated them like Mr. Cline does.The book offers seven mysteries that he tackles one chapter at a time. As an aside? The one concerning The Ten Lost Tribes? The way Mr. Cline describes that situation is too precious to spoil here. Look, if you know about that particular mystery, then you’ll love the way Mr. Cline finds an answer for it. And be prepared, it isn’t wishful thinking in the way so many Biblical mysteries are “solved”, but a real life data-supported answer. Like, I said. I won’t spoil it, but I think anyone who follows stuff like this will truly appreciate it.In the end, I will probably read one of his other books as well because I like the way he sticks to the data and doesn’t allow himself to splatter his own ego all over the subject.Thank you again, Mr. Cline.I’d give it a six if that were possible.

⭐Meh evidence-based approach to historical investigation of Old Testament Bible narrative. Feels to often like he’s floating toward Bible as history rather than examining history to see where it might support or fail to support Bible narratives.This book is a far cry from the author’s entertaining and interesting book about the Bronze Age city-state civilizations of the Mediterranean basin, their sophistication and amazing degree of interconnectivity – and their almost overnight collapse.

⭐I was a little surprised to see this book recommended for me by Amazon, but having read the authors other work I decided to give it a try.Far too many ‘unraveling the mysteries of the bible’ type books belong in the fantasy genre, but in this one the author treats ancient texts as a historian does. The result is surprising and readable and not an “I found Noah’s Ark, yes I really did” type book at all. The author is scathing of those who write such things and this book is both a scholarly review of the selected mysteries and a demand to treat ancient texts as ancient texts and to recapture this field from the cranks and charlatans.Don’t be put off by the subject and title.

⭐Cline looks at seven Old Testament stories (Garden of Eden, Noah, Sodom, the Exodus, Battle of Jericho, Ark of the Covenant and the 10 Lost Tribes) that are important but which have posed questions for many Bible readers for a long time. He is a strong proponent of the science of archeology and he follows the directions this discipline takes. Cline takes a very even handed approach to interpretation of the data and acknowledges how other cultural influences affected these stories. He recognizes the amateur contributions to research, but focuses on those efforts that have a strong science basis. That is usually a positive, but in the case of the Exodus, he dismisses too quickly those who have intriguing evidence that the route was through what is today Saudi Arabia.His writing style is easy so each story could be a casual evening read.A warning to those who reside on the conservative side of biblical interpretations—Cline will, on occasion, ask the uncomfortable question: Did this event really happen or was it myth handed down orally, then written down? This does not bother me, but for some readers, it will be considered heresy.

⭐I really appreciate Cline, an archeologist who takes the data seriously. Though this book is now dated, it surveys an ancient era, the transition out of the Bronze age, and how that is reflected in the Bible. Spoiler alert … not much is certain, but the end of the Bronze age was a hell of an interesting time and it echoes strongly still in our own age. You can tell Cline is a real fan of this period. I also like how he will speculate about what really happened, but let’s you know that “meh, maybe”.

⭐Rarely does anyone manage to credibly combine Ancient Near Eastern studies and Classical studies, but Cline balances well between the two in his archaeological research and many publications. As this thoughtful and well-written book FROM EDEN TO EXILE shows, Cline has also managed something even rarer: to sensibly communicate biblical problems without taking sides in religious controversy or demeaning others’ ideas. The topography and texts are carefully allowed to speak for themselves. Enormously fascinating topics like the location of Eden and where Noah’s Ark purportedly went – old favorites that have been mystifying for millennia and will continue to do so – will have Cline’s readers note how fair he is to divergent opinions. Very refreshing to find a scholar with a such a readable voice.

⭐He takes apart the OT with philology, archaeology and history. It made me realize that there must be another way to interpret the OT, another reading key that we haven’t seen yet, because the old ones just don’t work.

⭐After reading Babylon which was more than impressive in fact staggering in its insight, this was an utter and total disapointment, it acknowledges the mythological nature of Gennesis but utterly fails atevery level to compare it with any other related concurrent myths quoting the same events

⭐Very detailed, yet written in the almost conversational style proper to Eric H Cline. Very easy to follow.

⭐“From Eden to Exile”Professor Cline is an experienced Biblical archaeologist and lecturer on ancient Middle Eastern History. “From Eden to Exile” was written specifically for ordinary folks like us and I cannot praise it highly enough. He gives differing conclusions made by established scholars then lets the reader make a final decision.In the Introduction he states his aim in writing the book was to show how competent research by trained academic and field scholars contradicts the claims of popular, unqualified authors. We have been beset by so many of the latter, The Templars and Rosslyn Chapel distortions being recent examples.We meet some of the pop authors in question one of whom allegedly discovered, Noah’s Ark and all the other items in the Old Testament.Prof Cline examines Eden, The Flood and Noah, The Exodus, Sodom and Gomorrah, Joshua’s massacres including Jericho, The Ark of the Covenant and Lost Tribes in considerable detail.He presents contemporary views of reputable archaeologists on each topic. Islamic claims of Israel’s early settlement in the Holy Land being false are conclusively laid to rest by a reference on an ancient Egyptian stele of conquests of Canaanite kingdoms including ISRAEL ! Details are also given of a recent discovery of the first reference to King David outside the Bible.Much of the information given may upset those who regard the Old Testament as absolute truth but facts presented are convincing. For example despite numerous expeditions seeking evidence for The Exodus not a trace of this alleged mass migration has been discovered.As to The Lost Tribes he proves that while 40,000 inhabitants of Israel were deported by the Assyrians 80% of the then population remained. While many sought refuge in Judah others stayed and inter-married with migrants brought in by the Assyrians. They became the Samaritans. Lost ? Not really.In his Concluding comments he gives the research path proposed by a respected Seventh Day Adventist University Archaeology Department. A path that can be profitably followed by those in any field of research.1. Be forthright in your findings. Do not minimise problems or stretch interpretations of data to explain things away.2. Do not make claims beyond what the data can support.3. Be quick and complete in publishing results.4. Engage and work within mainstream scholarship.5. Include a diversity of people and specialists.And regarding biblical scholarship but applicable in other fields.6. Take the history of the Bible seriously, but do not place upon archaeology the burden of ‘proving’ the Bible.If only the numerous popular historians assailing us with their junk would learn from those principlesI strongly recommend this well illustrated book to all interested in Biblical History. Highly readable, informative, and thought provoking. At the time of this book’s publication Prof Cline had joined a team excavating a Canaanite palace.

⭐An editor could have cut this book down to booklet length without losing the few passages of decent research and analysis. “Ancient Mysteries” by Peter James and Nick Thorpe covers much of the same material (in addition of numerous other topics). This book does, at least, have some interesting maps and photos.

⭐A book that does not concede to speculation but points out every existing piece of evidence before formulating, or debunking, a piece of theory.

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