— Articles by Dr. Dale Manor —

 

Movie Review—

Patterns of Evidence: Exodus

    With minimal fanfare, a documentary about the Exodus was released to selected outlets on Monday, January 19. A number of friends apprised me of its release, which prompted my wife and me to go see it. I usually approach such “movies” with trepidation, realizing the tendency for movies and documentaries to approach the biblical texts with skepticism and/or inaccuracy. This video was a bit different.

    Tim Mahoney produced the documentary and stakes claims of some thirteen (13) awards at various film festivals. His rationale to produce the video was to investigate the historicity of the Exodus. His inquiry was prompted by the tendency of many scholars in the academic world to deny the historical credibility of this major biblical event (among others, he interviewed Rabbi David Wolpe and archaeologists Israel Finkelstein and Norma Franklin who characterize this position). The documentary traces Mahoney’s sojourn as he seeks to look at what evidence exists and how to assess that evidence. Scholars representing the spectrum from unbelievers, to agnostics, to those who believe the Bible were resources to pursue the investigation. Click to see complete review.

 

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Movie Review—

Exodus: Gods and Kings … and Dr. Dig

    The Exodus event is one of the major events of all time. To one degree or another three major religious groups trace significant connections with it—certainly Judaism and Christianity. It heralded the Hebrews’ release from bondage to permit them finally to inherit the land that God had promised to Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3; 17:6-8). For Christians, it is a vital type of liberation from sin through the sacrifice of Jesus who died in connection with a Passover (Luke 22:13-15) and which in a dualistic way is still celebrated with the Lord’s supper remembering Jesus as the lamb who has died in our stead to secure our liberation from sin (cf. John 1:29). It is small wonder that Hollywood feels compelled to try to bring to the screen visual renditions of the Exodus; the biblical Exodus easily lends itself to drama and special effects. Click to see complete review.

 

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