Theory: Why The Exodus Myth Exists

Buzsaw listed evidence in Message 122. Some of it isn't really evidence, just necessary prerequisites like beaches and mountains, but I'm curious about the things that constitute actual evidence: Are the things described here known to actually exist? The lack of specificity in the discussion is making me wonder if these are only claimed to exist, and aren't really available for examination by historians and archaeologists.--Percy

Hi, Buzz!I'm interested in what the academic community has to say about the things you mentioned. If they exist, then historians and archaeologists must have had the opportunity to examine them. What do they say about them?--Percy

But the topic of discussion is about dating Exodus, not miracles. And historians and archaeologists would be falling all over themselves if they saw an opportunity to be the first to publish a reliable date, for that's how reputations are made.Let me tell you why I'm asking about your evidence. Concerning your chariot wheel graveyard, I could watch your video, and it could show me a pile of chariot wheels with narration saying they're from the 18th dynasty, and how would I know one way or the other. I wouldn't even be able to tell if they're filming in the Middle East or on a sound stage in Hollywood. The evidence needs to be examined by experts.Or about your blackened mountain. The video could show me a dark mountain, and the narration could say it happened during Exodus, but how would I know? Has the blackened material been analyzed and dated?If your evidence for Exodus is solid then it will stand up to scientific scruitiny. The evidence you've presented thus far is notable for its vagueness and lack of specificity, qualities not likely to inspire confidence in your conclusions.--Percy

It's not that I disagree, it's that it really doesn't bear on the issues I was raising. You may not be following what my concerns are, for you go on to say: What I was trying to explain earlier is that I'm already pretty sure I can't judge whether chariot wheels are 18th dynasty, or how or when a mountain top turned black. While the miracles of Exodus may be viewed skeptically by a large proportion of mainstream historians and archaeologists, many of them accept the reality of the Exodus event, and would be very interested in examining any and all evidence bearing upon it.And so I ask again, has this evidence been examined by the appropriate experts, and if so, what have they said about it?--Percy

Can you elaborate on the chariot wheels? I thought you said there was a chariot graveyard full of 18th dynasty chariot wheels in the spot where the Exodus crossing would have taken place, but now you mention only a single wheel. What is the material that turned the mountain black? If it is carbon, has it been dated? If it isn't carbon, is it a material that would have resulted from combustion? Can it be dated? Can any kind of date estimates whatsoever be made? I don't know that it matters as long as they're acknowledged professionals in their field from the appropriate subspecialty. All I meant by appropriate was that you'd want geologists for examining the mountain, and archaeologists for examining the chariot wheels, and so forth.The lack of specificity I was originally concerned about continues. If those with access to this evidence are confident of it, you'd think they'd exert more energy having it authenticated.--Percy

So the submerged wheels remain submerged? Don't you think that a proper approach requires bringing the wheels to the surface where they may be examined? And that this should be done before reaching any conclusions? I can't help feeling that the overwhelming lack of curiousity and the strong reluctance to investigate stems from fear that the results might spoil a really good story. In order for four spokes to be indicative of the 18th dynasty, it would have to be the case that four spokes were used during the 18th dynasty and only during the 18th dynasty. How convenient!Until the evidence offered by the video is properly examined, it can't be the foundation of any reliable conclusions. It's a really neat story, but without authentication it will find little support outside evangelical circles. If evangelicals are confident in the evidence then there should be no reluctance about having it examined scientifically. Uh, basically, yes!It is not the responsibility of others to seek the information you should be providing yourself. If you have a case to make then you make it here. This evasive technique is so common it is covered in the Forum Guidelines. You shouldn't embark upon arguments that require others to purchase and view videos or books. Such materials should be offered as references to be sought by those interested. They should never be essential to your argument.When EvC Forum goes video I'll make sure you're the first to know. --Percy

Hi Buzz,To sum up my feeling on this, I think you have slim evidence that is insufficient for convincing anyone outside your evangelical circle. You can raise all kinds of legitimate issues regarding why the evidence isn't accessible, but science contains no special dispensations for inaccessible evidence. At best the examinations conducted so far must be deemed inadequate.I think it is fine if you want to believe the story from the video. Bit if you want others to believe it, then only expert examination of the evidence will suffice. Arguing that the evidence in its current form is too sufficient will not be successful.--Percy

I don't want to draw this thread off topic. If you'd like to take your issue to another thread I'd be glad to address it.--Percy