The Foundation for International Studies is giving a short course on The Bible and Archaeology by biblical scholar Anthony Frendo.

The five sessions will cover topics such as:

Archaeology and its methods of research

Biblical criticism

The emergence of ancient Israel

The religion of early ancient Israel

Many people are acquainted with archaeology through the images portrayed by Indiana Jones, and yet in their heart of hearts they know that this is not what archaeology is all about. So what is it in reality? What are its methods of research and what results should we expect to obtain from it? Indeed, what are the strengths and limitations of archaeology and how can we relate the results of historical research that are based on the evidence of written documents with those of archaeology?

In this short course, Professor Anthony J. Frendo, Head of the Department of Arabic and Near Eastern Studies, purports to answer the foregoing questions, with special reference to the relationship between the results of the archaeology of the ancient near East and those of biblical criticism. But before focusing on the nature of this relationship, he will set out to answer a whole range of questions which many people ask about the Bible.

What is the Bible? How was it formed and how long did it take to reach its present form? In what languages was it written? Is the Bible historical, and if so, in what sense? How can we read the Bible intelligently and what is biblical criticism really all about? Can archaeological research help us to read the Bible better?

The emergence of ancient Israel and its religion will be presented as case studies to illustrate the relationship between the results of archaeology and those of a critical reading of the Bible.

For more information please contact Cynthia Amato, Conference Unit on phones: 2123-4571 or 21234-121/2 ext 232, or email Cynthia.amato@fis.org.mt

Applications can also be downloaded from the website: www.fis.org.mt