ETS 2003, Atlanta, Georgia
Excavating Jesus or Inventing a Jesus?
12
As previously noted Reed laments that in the past archaeology was viewed as the
handmaiden of Biblical studies
45
and demands that archaeology have a much wider role in
New Testament studies and exegesis. He states, there is a growing need in New Testament
scholarship to take account of the archaeological data as a whole by listening to the interpre-
tations archaeologists have to offer and to integrate the archaeological findings in a more so-
phisticated manner.
46
Again, as already while, Reed views the literary constructs of New
Testament scholarship with a level of skepticism
47
he apparently views the results of arc-
haeological research and the varying social-science critical constructs that under gird his in-
terpretations with a much more optimistic attitude. Commenting on the new archaeologi-
cal models, Bartlett notes that,
The modern archaeologist has also learned to look for answers to questions about ancient
populations and their political, economic, cultural and religious organization and activi-
ties by beginning from observation of similar societies today, as well as drawing infe-
rences from observed patterns of ancient settlements. The dangers of reading back from
the present are obvious, but nevertheless the questions raised are pertinent. The interests
of classical historiography have been replaced by the concerns of anthropology and the
social sciences.
48
He does also sound a cautionary word against the optimistic attitude of some noting, the
confidence now put in such social reconstruction is not unlike the confidence previously put
in artefactual evidence by Albright and his colleagues.
49
Dever also notes his lament
about an archaeological model that has become less wedded to texts and more anthropologi-
cally orientated.
50
With this as a backdrop, the question must be asked, which interpretations of which
45
Reed, Galilean Jesus, p. 1
46
Ibid., p. 3.
47
Reed, Galilean Jesus, p. 214.
48
Bartlett, What has Archaeology to do with the Bible? p. 10.
49
Ibid.
50
William G. Dever. Whatchamalcallit: Why It`s So Hard to Name our Field. Biblical Archaeology Review
29:4 (July/Aug 2003): 59.