Reputations can be linked to pseudonyms, you know. Or is that an unfamiliar concept for you?StephenGoranson wrote: ↑Sat Mar 18, 2023 3:47 pm The "pseudonymous" ABuddhist says he has "considerably more pointed criticisms of Gmirkin's ideas than the 1 which I have given," but will not tell them because of his (pseudonymous) "reputation."
In general, here are the problems which I have with Gmirkin's model:
1. Why, if it was created suddenly and intended to be the basis for a national religion, was the Pentateuch containing contradictory accounts? Gmirkin claims that this reflects different schools of thought within the Jewish leadership vying to insert their ideas (if I understand the matter correctly), but if the leaders were so divergent in their attitudes and in their products, then how were they able to work together in the 1st place? With Buddhist scriptures, Hindu scriptures, and Christian scriptures, when texts teach contradictory doctrines, the scholarly conclusion, when not blinkered by faith, is that they were written by rival or divergent sect not in co-operation with each other.
2. The flat Earth content in the Pentateuch, which is not only limited to a dome but includes the idea of a cosmic ocean beyond/above the dome.
3. Gmirkin's claim that the Prophets were almost entirely Hellenistic forgeries seems to me to be too bold. I do not doubt that some portions may be that - particularly the oracle about Gog and Magog, which suits a post-exilic time, at the earliest - but in general, I think that they are useful reflection of pre-Hellenistic Judaean YHWH worship - albeit perhaps edited in order to be more monotheistic in later centuries - in which YHWH's power is used to explain and critique Judaean and Israelite problems.
I have little doubt that Gmirkin has evidence supporting his claims, and I am very willing to accept the idea that the so-called Deuteronomistic history was inspired by Herodotus - who, after all, wrote his History in part because of his devotion to Apollo, if I understand correctly - and I welcome his feedback if he will give it.