Moses and the Exodus


Historical plausibility of the exodus story

Egyptian names

Miracles as natural phenomena

Slave revolts in general

Dubious attempts at specific identifications


Historical problems with the exodus story

Impossible details

No external historical record

The oldest parts of the Bible do not describe a mass exodus

Lack of Egyptian cultural influence

Written as folklore, not historiography


Theological responses to the historical-critical method

The truth of the Bible always takes priority over human reason.

When human reason is in doubt, the truth of the Bible tips the scales.

The modern understanding of historical accuracy (confirmed from independent sources, plausible) is too narrow to make general claims about truth.

The message inspired by God is the fundamental theme (God intervenes to liberate the oppressed, etc.) and that is true. However, the details of the story that expresses that truth were never meant to be taken literally.

The story as presented by historical-critical reconstruction is powerful in its own way (e.g., multiple small groups of people who felt the work of a liberating God in their lives started a movement that grew and profoundly shaped the world today).


Theophany

God show

Name of God

Prophetic call narratives