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Show C2 TheSalt Lake Tribune RELIGION Archaeologist Draws Saturday, November6, 1999 AuthorSays She Identifies With Bible’s Bad Girls = t\ poe raytara. oii Fire for Doubting Biblical Accounts bea Yahi BY JIM JONES KNIGHTRIDDER NEWSSERVICE Eve,the first womanin theBible, becomes Evelyn Whitebloem of Savannah,Ga.Delilah, the Phi. listine woman whocuts Samsen's He sees no evidence of Hebrew exodus, Jericho victory or the source ofthe Ten Commandments USA TODAY JERUSALEM AnIsraeli ar chaeologist is drawing claimingthat thebiblical history ‘of the Jewish people is probably fiction. In an article last week in {Ha'aretz newspaper, Ze'ev He fa professorat Tel Aviv University ‘argued that the Exodus of the He. « brews from Egypt probably never happened, the Ten Command ments were not given on Mount Sinai, and Joshua never con queredthe land ofIsrael. Herzog said that if there was a King Dav id, he probably was no more than a tribal chieftain. The sameholds ; for King Solomon, Herzogsaid. “The many Egyptian docu ments known to us do not make any referenceto the sojournof the ‘ChildrenofIsrael in Egypt orthe ‘events of the Exodus,” Herzog said. “Generations of scholars tried to locate MountSinai andthe stations of the tribes ofIsrael in the desert. Despiteallthis diligent research, not one site was identi fied that could correspond to the biblical picture.” Herzog said there is no evi dencethat Joshualed the children of Israel into the Holy Land or brought down the wallsof Jericho, “Repeated excavations by vari- ous expeditions ... have only yielded disappointments,’ he said. “During the period when the conquest wouldhave takenplace, there werenocities there, and of coursenowalls to bring down.” To many people inIsrael, such claims smack of blasphemy, even though many scientists agree with Herzog. “What did they expect to find? The bones from Pharaoh's dreams?” scoffs Rabbi Nachum Rabinovitch, head of Maale Adumim Yeshiva and a former principalof Jews’ College in London. “Thefact of the matteris that details are veryscantinthetext. Frequently, we don’t evenreall: understand whatit s that archaeology can proveor dis proveanything is ridiculous. Notjust religious lead angered. Many eae eee eee the modern Jewish state as a re vival of the Sie Hebrew kingdoms. To them, challenging the uila, a hairdresserfromDalla’, Those are someof the fictional versions of biblical charactérs Herzog also has drawn fire from scholars. Adam Zertal, an archaeologist at the University of presentedin Liz Curtis Higgs’ pew Haifa, has dedicated his life to mapping the biblical episodes in Samaria, including the entry of Joshuainto the Holy Land “We found almost certain proof book, Bad Girls of the Bible (WaterBrook Press, $12.95). 1 did this be girl myself,” Higgs said recently She is an author and humorist speaks throughout the na that the story of the entry into Is rael is very believable,” said Zer tal, who has spent eight years ex cavating a site on Mount Ebol where the Bible states Joshua set up his first altar to God. “The rel evant materials are in the field We onlyhave to find them.” “Archaeology doesnot havethe power to disprove the written record,” said Avrahi a Jewishhistoryexpert alamat, tion. In 1995, she received the Council of Peers Award from the Newtothe Neighborhood National Speakers Association Officials break ground for the new Hebrew College campus in Newton, Mass., next doorto the nation’s oldest graduate seminary, Andover Newton Theological School. When Hebrew College's new campus opensin 2001 on land purchased from Andover Newton,it will create a rareif not unprecedentedsituation: Jewish and Christian schoolsof higher education standing cheek-by-jow| at the He. youask could not identify with them,” a goodarchaeologist, he will say that he cannot find out the entiretruth.” Herzogis surprisedat thecrit icism., “I don’t think it is right to guess at motives, based on there. sults of scientific inquiry,” he said “Archaeologyhas always been used in this society and used to point in one direction,” he said. “NowI'msuggesting that perhaps it should be used to point in an Jiggs Samaritan Counseling Center Puts Spirituality Into the Healing Process BY PEGGY FLETCHER STACK ‘THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE other direction.” Palestinian and European ar: chaeolo; ace colleagues of polit ologyto bolster Jewish c Palestinian archaeologist HamdanTahahas been excava ing Tel Es-Sultan,the ancien’ of Jericho, “There is no proof of any wall from the assumedtimeof Joshua's invasion,” Taha said “Nothing h: ed here inthe| several hundred patients onall vation. . A viewed as ascient andfamily problems,depression, For four years, Salt Lake City psychologist Donn Peters has beenhelping his clients find the intersection between their spiri tual, emotional and biological lives Petersis the sole staff member of the Samaritan Counseling Cen. ters of Utah, a faith-basedpractice sponsored by seven Christian churches. He has worked with major issues including marital and no moreas an Heglegtcal means to prove or disprove mod- ernpolitical claims. Manycontemporary biblical support most of serie story, however, whichidol s biblical etal s ich as King David. While conceding that the Bible probablyglorified David and So: lomon, Avraham Biran, head of archaeology at Jerusalem's Hebrew Union College, said an in scription he discoveredat Tel Dan drug addiction and parenting teens t is not unusual for meto ask clients not only about the history of their family, but also about ters says. onal faith journey,” Pe- “That informs us about thestrug; pl in a marriage or with adolescents.” Apparently, it is working. The Samaritan Counseli Center has recently beenacci ited by the umbrella organization that oversees more than 50) of- fices in 400U.S. c and beliefs on “We could sometimes pray with a person ortalk about scriptures that may have bearing on a problem. Or maybe the client is mad at God,. We don’t force it on anyone. We just deal with people as they are.” Donn Peters Psychologist andsolestaff mem- berof the Samaritan Counseling Center says. “They'll talk about sex or suicidal feelings, but religion tends to be left out. Sometimes whentherapists do taik aboutit, they mightsee it as a crutch.” By contrast, those who established the Samaritan counseling system saw a relationship with God as important and as meaningful as a relationship with a spouse, “These are important questions,” Peters says. During traditional therapy,cliabout themselves that needs to Utah's Samaritan Center was evaluated on all those issues and passed the first time, whichis “The site visitor waskind of bragging that he but ents might be asked whatit is Ld rare, Peterssays. clients faith-based “Religion tends to be a taboo subject for many therapists,” he was going to clone ourboard and replicate it across thecountry The Rey. JeffreySilliman of Mt Olympus Presbyterian, one of the sponsoring churche: ys what distinguishes the Samaritanpro- grow andchange. “We ask them whatit is about their faith that needs to grow and change,” he says. Each Samaritan Centeris independently incorporated with a local governing boarddrawnfrom sponsorin} And, Silliman says, no oneis turned away for lack of money. We have a fixed fee, but that can be reducedif there is a in northern Israel proves their gram from most other counseling programs is thatit deals explicity maic inscription, attributed to a with thespiritual dimension. “We could sometimes pray support are: the Roman Catholic witha personortalk about scrip- Diocese of Salt Lake City, the maritan Institute in Denver, ‘s the network. “The tures that may have bearing on a problem. Or maybethe client is Episcopal Diocese of Utah, First Methodist Church of Salt Lake City, First Presbyterian of Salt should an archaeologist say that hedoesn’t? centers offer professional se! within a framework of qual ganizational, administrative and financial practices.” force it on anyone. We just deal with peopleas theyare.” Lake City, Wasatch Prebyterian, Mt. Olympus Presbyterian, Com- Peters sees this work not as Bible-based imposing aset of munity of Grace Presbyterian, =BULLETIN BOARD Choir Executive Board to discuss the upcoming July 14-16 choir con: noon to 2 p.m. Cost is $3.50. Call 278-1980. “Popular Culture and Communi- Compiled by Shannon Quinn ference today, at Prophet Elias Church, 5335 Highland Drive, Salt Q Bible means challengingthelegit imacyofthe modern Jewishclaim to thelandofIsrael “l adhere to the view that the Bible is ourbasic startingpoint,” said TommyLapid, leaderofthe prominenceatthe time. The Ara king of Damascus, refers to a “House of David id is believed to date from the ninth century B.C. 100yearsafter David. “Ifan Aramaeanking from the avowedlysecularist Shinui Party. “Noother people in the world has middleof the 9th century knew a book like the Hebrew Bibl about theexistenceof David, why 0 whyis Professor"Herzog feeding ‘us this nonsense’ Laudie, president of the ationprocess madat God,” he says. “We don’t LakeCity. The choir, along with theexecutive board members,will MISCELLANEOUS Baptist joinin celebrating Divine Liturgy, Sunday, at the Holy Trinity Cathe- Lake Cityinvitesall to the Baha'i Church's Third Annual Angel Kisses Holiday Boutique will be dral, 5. 300 West, Salt LakeCity. @ The Philoptocohos Society held today, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the church, 1700 E. 7000 South, Salt LakeCity. Call 943-2241 will get togethertoday, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m,, at the Hellenic Memorial Hall, 379 S. 300 West, Salt Lake BAPTIST The Southeast Q CATHOLIC The 12th Annual Holiday Blessings Boutique will be held today, 9 a.m, to 6:30 p.m., at the Blessed Sacrament Church, 1700 City. Call 328-9681 WA meeting for all boys 10-18 s old, will be heldfor those in yi terested in becomingaltar boys, Sunday, after Sunday School, at the church, 279 S. 300 West, Salt LakeCity, Call 328-9681 a E, 9800 South, Salt LakeCity. Call 495-1836. @St. Catherine's Newman Center will have John Michael Talbot appear in concert, Thursday, 8 p.m., at Skaggs Catholic Center, Draper. Tickets are available at St. Catherine's Newman Center, 170 S. University St., Salt Lake City, Call 359-6066. Qa CHURCHOF CHRIST ~ The Holladay United Churchof Christ will hold a program of con- secrating stewards, Sunday, 10:30 a.m., at the church, 2631 E. Murray-Holladay Road, Salt Lake Dity. ; MosheShokeid, professorof anthropology at Tel Aviv University in Israel, will speak Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Congregation Kol Ami, 2425 E. Heritage Way, Salt Lake City. St. Paul's Episcopal Church awill observe the Feast of All Souls with a solemn Requiem Mass, Sunday,4 p.m., at the church, 261 $B. 900 East, Salt Lake City, Call 323-5869. Q x The Greek Orthodox Church will be hosting the Denver Diocese Items forthe Religion Bulletin, brunch, 11:30 a.m., at The Encore Grill, 2080 W. North Temple, Salt LakeCity. @ The International Association of Near-Death Studies will it Societyis holding di- Along: BridgingDifferencein Diverse Communities, today, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30p..m., at the chur: which runs every Saturdayin the Religion Section, must be submitted by noon on the Tuesday before publication. Theitems can befaxed or mailed in care of Peggy Fletcher Stack, They should include a phone numberof a contact person. Chambers. Nocost. Call 583-3183. Q 7166 561-43 S. 700 West, Midvale. Call Q ORTHODOX PEOPLE OF FAITH Compiled By Bob Mims Journalist Richard Ostling, who co-wrote Mormon America with Joan Ostling, will read and sign the book Monday at 7 p.m. at the King’s English Bookshop, 1511 S. 1500 East, Salt Lake City. Ostling, currently religion writer for the “Lehrer Report,” wrote Time magazine's cover story about The Lake City’s Evangelical Free Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the church, 203 S, 200 East, Salt Lake City, A lunch will be served from 4‘ restoring the turn-of-the-century church building. Call 273-5759, Q Church. Under the direction of Shirley Wilson, the church's 35: member choir and a cast of 50 adults and children have begun practice for the popular “Angel UNITARIAN Humanists of Utah invite all to hear John Schaefer speak on 1 ‘Tree musical, All the hard work culminates with a Dec. 19 “They were just too good,” she said. Oneofthe biblical women she felt close to was Jezebel, a wealthy Phoenician princess and follower of the god Baal “T identified with her pushy personality. I understood her need for control. I empathized with her angry outbursts ... and J was aghast whenI got to her gruesome ending,” she writes. “She was a bad girl all right, but boy did she teach me what not to do in my marriage!” She added: “Because they were madein the image of God, as we were, these bad girls weren’t truly rotten to the core. They just behaved that way — and very convincingly.” Women of the Bible have been written about for years, said Dorothy Patterson, editor of the Woman's Study Bible, published in 1995 by ThomasNelson and in- cluding essays on about100 bibli- cal women. Oneof the more recent books about wayward women is The Harlot by the Side of the Road, a 1997 book by Jonathan Kirsch (Ballantine, $14.95), which takes a more scholarly approach, said Patterson. She directs a new women’s theological studies programs at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C. “Tt is not an approach I would take,” Patterson said of Higgs’ book. “I prefer to let the Bible speak foritself instead of reading thingsintoit.” But Higgs’ book does provide fresh insights on biblical women, Patterson said. Many Hindusbelieve Jesus Christ is one of many manifestations of “Christians have to proclaim the uniqueness and universality of the person and message of Christ,” but the church is beginning to treat with more respect the religiousbeliefs of those receiving the message, said the Most Rev. Daniel Acharuparambil, Roman Catholic archbishop of Verapoly in southern Keralastate. Duringthefirst half-century of independence, India recorded God through different religions. February 1999, performanceatthe church,6515 S. Lion Lane. This year’s performance, “Cel- ebrate the Season,” will combine upbeat broadway style music and humorto convey a message about the true meaning of the season, Wilson said. For further information, call 943-0341 Q Rabbi Joseph Goldman will Nazis destroyed Jewish homes, businesses and synagogues in Germany, sending some 30,000 Jews to concentration camps. sounda lotlike Christmasat Salt East, Salt Lake City, Costis $10 for for her Jewishpeople. only about oneattack per year on It's beginning to look, and adults, and $7 for children 12 and under, Proceeds will go toward ther, who courageously spoke out salvation. Conversions are not part of traditional Hinduism, which holds that people can find a way to lead a special Shabbat service will present a lecture-recital on the “Musical Wesley Family,” Sunday, First United Methodist Church apologize for religious excesses of Portuguese colonialists in the 16th century, and declare that Christianity is not the only route to Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. Q METHODIST 4 p.m., at the chureh, 203 S. 200 East, Salt LakeCity, @ The United Methodist Women of First United Methodist Churchwill sponsor a mini bazaar, Some Hindu groups are demanding that the pope ban all meet Wednesday, 7 p.m., 2001 S. State Street, north building, in the Salt Lake County C St. Peter andSt. Paul Orthodox Churchwill host the Second Annual International Dinner, today, 4to9p.m., at the church,355 8, 300 Q EPISCOPAL 582 2026or 58% @ UtahAtheists will have Rob Sherman speak at their Sunday church, p.m,, at the church, 1030S, 500 East, ‘THE ASSOCIATED PRESS This weekend's visit of Pope Christian conversions in India, @The South Valley Unitarian said. She didn't have much in common, shesaid, with Mary the mother of Jesus; Ruth, the faithful servant and wife; or Hs. Christians Face a Growing Threat in India 6876 S. 2000 East, Salt Lake Ci ity. Call 944-0213. Baha'i Center, 2358 E. 1700 South, Salt Lake City. A two-hour study and open discussion of Genesis Midvalley Bible Church will showavideo series about the Holy Land titled, “That the World May Know,” Sunday, 6 p.m., at the LUTHERAN and Cottonwood Presbyterian. place Friday, 7:30 Call p.m., at the tionships at a Gay Synagogue in New York.” St. John’s Lutheran Churchwill hold a Good Shepherd auxiliary fall boutique, today, 10 a.m. to 2 Nintendo,” Thursday, 7:30 p.m., at the church, 569 S. 1300 East, Salt LakeCity. Call 273-7144. b The churches which provide John PaulI, during a timeofincreasing attacks on Christians in India, has been a catalyst for a national debate on the role of churches in India. Sunday, 7:30 NONDENOMINATIONAL Qa ty, Competing with MTV and n raining, Learningto Get The Baha'i Community ofSalt Fir His topic will be “Gender Rela Salt LakeCity. a GREEK JEWISH Previous titles include Only Angels Can WingIt, The Rest of Us Have to Practice and WhyLife is More Fun After the Big 40. She also is a columnist for Today's Christian Woman magazine. “T studied a lot ofbiblical role models for women, but I found | brew University in Jerusalem. “If TE BYMATTHEWKALMAN Friday to remember “Kristalinacht,” or “The Night of Broken Glass.” On Nov.9, 1938, the Glass from broken windows littered streets throughout the nation. The service begins at 7 p.m. at Park City’s Temple Har Shalom, 922 Prospector Ave. Christians. The most recent figures showatleast 116 attacks on Christians from January 1998 to Q Salt Lake Seminary has added three new directors. They include Kathleen Gullberg, a memberof Salt Lake City's First Presbyterian Church and wife of University of Utah Professor Grant Gullberg; Charlie Huebner, a memberof the Orem Evangelical Free Church with ministries in counseling and adult education; and Paul Elldridge, a former First Presbyterian Church member whorecently relocated ee Qa John Schaefer, curator of eucation at the Salt Lake Art Genter and director of the Salt Lake Ethics Project, will urch. Humanist of Utah, |
