Why the Fuss?

The Mt. Ebal Curse Tablet

Preparation II

[Post three of thirty-three]

Why fuss over an artifact no bigger than a business card folded in half?

This question differs from that in my last post. It captured the reasons for interest in the Curse Tablet. In political terms, I addressed a candidate’s hair, smile, and social grace. Here, I turn to substance. Politically, the gist is more like economics, crime, and foreign policy.

Thus, three reasons for the fuss are:

A Thought Tsunami

This artifact could trigger a tsunami of thought! From it, massive philosophical changes could ensue. It could alter historical, archaeological, epigraphic, and even political understandings.

There is much at stake. This “Curse Tablet” may establish the Hebrews of the Conquest as historical realities.

Preservation of Ancient Evidence

This matter also raises questions about safeguarding proof. The first issue is whether the present evidence supports the tablet’s biblical claims. The follow-up question is: Could Joshua’s Altar harbor other precious evidence?

War and Peace

The third reason this topic deserves the fuss is this: Joshua’s Altar lies in a war zone.

Excavations here could inflame tensions in a troubled region.

Questions, thus, include:

• Are excavations here reasonable?
• If so, how might they proceed?

As you see, this memorandum addresses both smiles and substance.

But before proceeding, I should answer another important question. It is: “Why should you consider my views on these matters?”

This, I discuss in the next post.

Now, a question for you: How might resolving “Who wrote the Torah?” impact your life or that of others?

Respond in the comment section below.

Next post: “Why Me?”

To view the memorandum from the beginning, click here.

For the composite footnotes, click here.