Ask Jayhawker Soule Anything

[Jayhawker Soule]

(Why I'm starting such a thread is beyond me. Oh, well ...)

SHALOM

​

 

[PetShopBoy88]

(Why I'm starting such a thread is beyond me. Oh, well ...)

SHALOM

​

What books would you recommend for one starting serious scriptural studies? Books aobut the history of the writings, the cultural significance, etc.

 

[Mike182]

i think everyone on RF will agree that you are a very intelligent man, Jay, may i ask what qualification you have attained? are you university educated?

 

[dbakerman76]

Do you think there is any conflict between Science and belief in God?

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

What books would you recommend for one starting serious scriptural studies? Books aobut the history of the writings, the cultural significance, etc.

Get three or four Torahs/Tanakhs with substantive commentaries, e.g., JPS, Stone, Etz Hayim, Alter. Then consider ...

Exploring Exodus

by Nahum M. Sarna​

Oxford History of Ancient Egypt

by Ian Shaw (editor)​

Egypt, Canaan, and Israel in Ancient Times

by Donald B. Redford​

Ancient Israel's Faith and History: An Introduction to the Bible in Context

by George E. Mendenhall​

Archaeology of the Land of the Bible 10,000-586 B.C.E.

by Amihai Mazar​

The Bible Unearthed: Archaeology's New Vision of Ancient Israel and the Origin of Its Sacred Texts

by Israel Finkelstein and Neil Asher Silberman​

What Did the Biblical Writers Know and when Did They Know It?, and
Who Were the Early Israelites and Where Did They Come from?

by William G. Dever​

The Israelites

by B.S.J. Isserlin​

Archaeology and the Bible

by John C. Laughlin​

Canaanite Myth and Hebrew Epic: Essays in the History of the Religion of Israel, and
From Epic to Canon: History and Literature in Ancient Israel

by Frank Moore Cross​

Origins of Biblical Monotheism: Israel's Polytheistic Background and the Ugaritic Texts, and
Early History of God: Yahweh and the Other Deities in Ancient Israel

by Mark S. Smith​

Babylonians

by H.W.F. Saggs​

Canaanites

by Jonathan N. Tub​

The Pentateuch

by Joseph Blenkinsopp​

How the Bible Became a Book: Textualization in Ancient Israel

by William M. Schniedewind​

What is most important is to realize that there is a wealth of continuing scholarship, such as here.

 

[PetShopBoy88]

Wow, that is a lot! Thanks.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

i think everyone on RF will agree that you are a very intelligent man, Jay, may i ask what qualification you have attained? are you university educated?

Outstanding qualifications: discipline, enthusiasm, and respect for scholarship coupled with a fairly well-developed understanding of what I don't know - nothing more.

 

[Katzpur]

(Why I'm starting such a thread is beyond me. Oh, well ...)​

SHALOM​

​

Maybe you just want to be one of the crowd. Yeah, right.

Here's my question:

If I were to meet you in person, and spend a couple of hours with you over lunch, would you seem to be pretty much the same guy I know online? You are not, of course, oblivious to the fact that you elicit strong feelings in people on RF. Most of them either hold you in great esteem or are scared silly of you. Me... I've come to appreciate your unique personality over the time I've been here on RF, but I still don't really feel like I know you. Is that how it's supposed to be?

Katzpur

 

[YmirGF]

Have you ever written any books?

It would be fascinating to see how you tackle a subject in a longer format.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

Do you think there is any conflict between Science and belief in God?

I do not.

 

[cardero]

How come you never posted your picture in the “Post Your Pic” thread? I am sure there are many RF members who would want to put a face to the one of RF’s most honest posters.

How did you come to know so much about the Bible and what practical value does this knowledge have for you or your life?

Are there any thoughts about reverting back to the old Groucho avatar?

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

If I were to meet you in person, and spend a couple of hours with you over lunch, would you seem to be pretty much the same guy I know online?

You would find me far less confrontational and far more 'grandfatherly'. We would almost certainly hug upon meeting and departing.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

Have you ever written any books?

It would be fascinating to see how you tackle a subject in a longer format.

No - I am a very poor writer. Truth be told, I find myself frequently frustrated by my inability to more clearly express myself. I truly envy folks like Pah and lilithu

 

[Katzpur]

You would find me far less confrontational and far more 'grandfatherly'. We would almost certainly hug upon meeting and departing.

That's nice to hear, although you are only three years and three days my senior, so I wouldn't be calling you Grandpa.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

Wow, that is a lot! Thanks.

It was my pleasure. If you ever find yourself interested in pursuing a more specific question, please feel free to PM me.

 

[Buttercup]

I am aware that you are a husband, father and grandfather but, if you hypothetically were single at this moment in time.....which TWO personality characteristics would be the most important to you in selecting a mate?

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

How come you never posted your picture in the “Post Your Pic” thread?

It's not relevant.

How did you come to know so much about the Bible and what practical value does this knowledge have for you or your life?

It's an amazing anthology worthy of persistent effort. Thre is, I believe, an existential value in seeking to understand and respect an evolving call to universal human values: "You shall be holy"

Are there any thoughts about reverting back to the old Groucho avatar?

Nor there's a fond memory, especially given that the avatar was assigned to me. I wonder what people would select now?

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

That's nice to hear, although you are only three years and three days my senior, so I wouldn't be calling you Grandpa.

Happy upcoming birhday, sweetheart. You look pretty darn cute for your age.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

I am aware that you are a husband, father and grandfather but, if you hypothetically were single at this moment in time.....which TWO personality characteristics would be the most important to you in selecting a mate?

Compassion and integrity.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

I need to log off for a bit. Talk to you all soon ...