I’ve seen Santorini suggested as the root of the events described in Exodus as well, the exotic weather, columns of fire and lightning and parting of the reed sea could all match phenomenae associated with the volcanic eruption.
I don’t necessarily agree with the whole rationalising the bible thing, but it was an interesting theory.
The Bible’s an interesting issue. The majority of the New Testament was not designed to be taken literally, or to be taken out of context (despite what most fundamentalists think) – it’s inherently symbolic.
But the Old Testament has a lot of history stitched into its fabric and it does stand up to examination in relation to real-world events.
“I have no doubt that every myth is based on some event, and so is the myth of Atlantis,” the University of Rhode Island’s Sigurdsson said. “An event of this magnitude must have left its imprint.”
Velikovsky (‘Ages of Chaos’ etc., wasn’t a complete crank – according to Sagan – after all, then!)
The link wouldn’t work for me :(
I’ve seen Santorini suggested as the root of the events described in Exodus as well, the exotic weather, columns of fire and lightning and parting of the reed sea could all match phenomenae associated with the volcanic eruption.
I don’t necessarily agree with the whole rationalising the bible thing, but it was an interesting theory.
The Bible’s an interesting issue. The majority of the New Testament was not designed to be taken literally, or to be taken out of context (despite what most fundamentalists think) – it’s inherently symbolic.
But the Old Testament has a lot of history stitched into its fabric and it does stand up to examination in relation to real-world events.
“I have no doubt that every myth is based on some event, and so is the myth of Atlantis,” the University of Rhode Island’s Sigurdsson said. “An event of this magnitude must have left its imprint.”
Velikovsky (‘Ages of Chaos’ etc., wasn’t a complete crank – according to Sagan – after all, then!)
no smoke without fire ;)
My simplistic view of things is that myths and old stories are a means of carrying a message across time, whether the message is a metaphor or truth.