R.P. BenDedek
Shifting Historical Perspectives?
By R.P. BenDedek
Dec 29, 2010 - 8:40:58 AM

Shifting Historical Perspectives? or just plain rewriting history?

According toWikiAnswers it was George Santayana who said:

• Those who do not learn the lessons of history are condemned to repeat them

According to Wisdomquotes.com it was Gerda Lerner who said:

• What we do about history matters. The often repeated saying that those who forget the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them has a lot of truth in it. But what are 'the lessons of history'? The very attempt at definition furnishes ground for new conflicts. History is not a recipe book; past events are never replicated in the present in quite the same way. Historical events are infinitely variable and their interpretations are a constantly shifting process.There are no certainties to be found in the past.

I would add that even the certainties of the past are apt to be rewritten to suit political agendas.

Take the PC claim that Israel first belonged to the Palestinians (that is to say the Philistines). Such a claim is contrary to known history, but as is demonstrated in all totalitarian states, history is whatever the dictators say it is.

The Philistines did not 'settle' in Palestine until sometime after the reign of Rehoboam, son of Solomon. Prior to that time and for many centuries previously, they were mercenaries of the Egyptians. The Philistines hail from the Aegean Islands, and consisted of many different groups, and it is thought that they got their name from the group called the 'Peleset'. (PC Mind Control and Rewriting History)

Although the Anti-Semites and Anti-Biblical Political Crowd keep insisting that what the Bible says is wrong ¹, and that Israel was in fact an Arab nation, new archaeological discoveries demonstrate that not to be so.

• Slowly, as more excavations bring to light new material, the biblical record continues to gain solid historical backing. So far, archaeology has confirmed the existence of the following kings of Israel and Judah: Omri, Ahab, Jeroboam II, Jehu, Pekah, Hoshea, Ahaz, Hezekiah and Manasseh. Now David is also placed in this growing list of historically confirmed kings and no longer viewed as a myth. (Mario Seiglie)

Some examples of New Discoveries

1st Temple seal found in City of David ( Feb 2008 )

• An ancient seal bearing an archaic Hebrew inscription dating back to the 8th century BCE has been uncovered in an archeological excavation in Jerusalem's City of David, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced Thursday. The find reveals that by 2,700 years ago, clerks and merchants had already begun to add their names to the seals instead of the symbols that were used in earlier centuries.

Archaeologist claims: Israelites could read 3000 years ago

Scholars say the discovery by Pittsburgh archaeologist Ron E. Tappy, a professor at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, is the most concrete evidence that Israelites were literate as early as the 10th century B.C.

"This is very rare. This stone will be written about for many years to come," Tappy said Wednesday at a news conference. "This makes it very historically probable there were people in the 10th century (B.C.) who could write."

Archaeologist in Israel says she's found king's palace, December 04, 2005 By Scott Wilson The Washington Post

• Israeli archaeologist Eilat Mazar believes the evidence she has uncovered during months of excavation and biblical comparison points to an extraordinary discovery...She believes she has found the palace of King David....Some archaeologists believe Jerusalem was no more than a tiny hilltop village when it served as David's capital. The discovery of a palace or other large public building from David's time would strengthen the opposing view that he and his son, Solomon, presided over a civilization grander than the collection of rural clans some historians say made up the Jewish kingdom.

Was King David real or a Myth? Find out for yourself. Read: King David: Man or Myth? by Mario Seiglie.

We can't do too much when it comes to historical perspectives that are based in political agendas, but when it comes to the issue of archaeological evidence, as time moves on, more and more becomes available, and with each new discovery, comes a rewriting of the previous perspectives.

Recently I published an article about some ancient Egyptian Coins that support the Bible claim that the Israeli Patriarch Joseph held a position of power in the Egyptian court. (See Original Source) Like the previous discoveries in Jerusalem, this discovery adds weight to the Biblical Narratives about the History of the Jews.

Recently there was another discovery made that while on the surface of it, does not directly add weight to anything in the Bible about Israel, it does give weight to the credibility of the ancient writer Herodotus.

Archaeologists uncover lost desert army

Archaeologists claim to have discovered the remains of an ancient Persian army that got lost in a desert sandstorm 2500 years ago.

For centuries the story of the 50,000-strong army losing their way in the Sahara Desert was assumed to be an ancient legend until hundreds of bones were uncovered in western Egypt.

The Greek historian Herodotus wrote an account of the lost army, which served the Persian king Cambyses, son of Cyrus the Great.

Herodotus said the army was sent from Thebes in 525 BC to destroy the oracle at the Temple of Amun, at the Oasis of Siwa, after priests there refused to recognise his claim to the Egyptian throne.

But after walking for seven days in the desert the army was caught and buried in a cataclysmic sandstorm.

Their bones, as well as numerous weapons and pieces of jewellery, were discovered in the desert by accident when a researcher stumbled upon a half-buried pot.

Italian archaeologists Angelo and Alfredo Castiglioni, already famous for their discovery of an ancient "city of gold" in Egypt 20 years ago, led the dig and claim to have solved one of ancient history's greatest mysteries.

Many have tried and failed to find the lost army, including Count Laszlo Almasy, the subject of the book and movie The English Patient.

Now the Reason that I bring this article to your attention, is precisely because Herodotus' assumed legend turned out to be real.

When are Fables not Fables?

We are all familiar with the 'fable' about the Trojan horse and the City of Troy, but as it turned out, it was no fable.

• First excavated by Dr. Heinrich Schliemann, in 1870, the city of Troy was discovered after a lifelong quest which led Dr. Schliemann to the plain of Troad, on the north-west coast of Turkey. Until its discovery, it was considered a fictional city from the 'Illiad', by Homer. The discovery is one of several 'mythological' places that have been unearthed over the last two hundred years. [Troy (Illium): 'Fortress City']

With regard to the writings of Herodotus, Robinson, (1932 and Hermann S. 1981 p.424)² suggests that the Bible Story of King Josiah's death at Megiddo (2 Kings 23:29-30) is a corruption of an event about which Herodotus wrote concerning the battle at Magdolos (Migdol) near Kadytis (Kadesh) on the Orontes. See: Death of King Josiah

Perhaps in time we will find out which of the two places is the correct one. Well the Bible is the correct one of course!

Why must that be so? Because it is the Word of God. The Bible is infallible - even though the book of Kings and Chronicles are stated only to be collations of existing historical chronological records.

• Both those who totally believe in a literal textual Biblical infallibility and those skeptics who have a need to constantly search to disprove Biblical infallibility, share the same problem. Neither have any real faith in God himself. (From: 'Biblical Infallibility')

Another contentious issue regarding the Bible is the reference in the book of Exodus to Moses crossing the Red Sea. Naturally many people are skeptical of such an event. As all the previously recorded miracles in Egypt can be explained away as 'naturally occurring phenomenon' and the Red Sea Crossing cannot, it must of course be a 'fable'.

Yet when Josephus the Jewish Historian concludes his discourse on the Exodus (Antiquities Book 2 Chapter 16:5), he states that he is only reciting the records as they stand, and that in spite of the miraculous element in the crossing of the Red Sea, he acknowledges (as does also Whiston - Fnt. 33) that this phenomenon is not entirely unknown. (See: Exodus Unabridged)

Although some do claim that physical evidence exists to verify the story of the Parting of the Red Sea and subsequent drowning of the Egyptian army, the most frequent objection to the story self justifies on the basis of a lack of evidence. This of course was the same justification for rejection of the Fabled Story of Troy. The same justification for rejection of Herodotus' legend of the lost army.

It was the same arguement given for rejecting Hormuzd Rassam's 'Balawat' claims. He originally lost the evidence of his discovery in a river accident. (He was ultimately justified. See: Footnote ³ The forgotten Archaeologist and Assyrian Palace Reliefs.)

Academic precedence requires that when there is an absence of evidence to support an assertion, that assertion must be rejected.

But lack of evidence alone does not negate an historical assertion. For an historical assertion to be negated, there must be evidence to prove that the assertion is wrong. Prior to the discovery of Herodotus' lost army; Schliemann's City of Troy; Rassam's Balawat, and a host of other recent discoveries, the available ancient documentary evidence was not considered 'evidence' at all, and the basis for rejection of the stories, was a 'lack of evidence'. What it truly was, was 'prejudice'.

When historical documents are entered into evidence, a lack of Academic acceptance and a lack of supporting documentary evidence, does not and cannot negate the validity of the documentary Evidence that is provided. This is a principle of evidentiary law. See: Rules of Evidence Series. This does not mean that the evidence speaks of something real or true. It still requires some form of corroboration.

The interesting thing about corroboration, is that one does not necessarily need to corroborate the issue at hand. It can be sufficient to demonstrate the reliability of the witness who left the documentary evidence. When time and again the Witness who left the documentary evidence, is proven to have been reliable and trustworthy in his reporting of a variety of other matters, it can be taken that the evidence 'at hand' is also trustworthy.

Modern Fables

Academics have for a long time been Shifting Previous Historical Perspectives, trying to establish themselves in one way or another. For a variety of reasons they would rather not give credit where it is due; not admit that which they know to be true; not wanting to delve too deeply into something that might show them up for what they are.

The worst of the bunch however, are those who prefer to rewrite history to suit their own political ideologies. In that endeavour, it makes no 'nevermind' whether it is Islamic rewriting of history, or the secularist anti-God, anti-Judeo/Christian who does the writing. The end result is the same: We are deceived about our own history, and our faith is undermined.

Fortunately for us, someone comes along now and then and proves these liars wrong. But instead of always waiting for the 'hard evidence' to turn up and PROVE them wrong, maybe we should be asking them to provide the hard evidence that proves them right.

Perhaps it's time to Shift our historical perspectives back into the realm of tradition, instead of anti-God, anti-Religion, anti-Judeo/Christian, pro-political correctness academic cultural marxism.

The illuminated ones may disdain the history we have received, but time and again it has turned out that by following their misguided claptrap, we have reaped the 'law of unintended consequences'.

Perhaps we should do as was written, and not allow ourselves to be carried about by every wind of (Politico-Academic) doctrine.

It's time to Shift our Historical Perspectives before we ourselves become the future's ancient 'fable'.

R.P. BenDedek

Footnotes:

¹ A Jewish answer to a 'Christian' accusation that the West Bank is not Jewish land:

• The Christian holidays celebrate an event that you have named a criminal act - the birth of a Jewish baby to a Jewish family living in the West Bank town of Bethlehem. (Shamrak Report Dec 29, 2010)

² Robinson, T.H. 1932 A History of Israel. Vol I. Oxford. Clarendon Press. and Herrmann, S. (1981) A History of Israel in Old Testament Times. Philadelphia. Fortress Press.p.424

³ Hormuzd Rassam (1826-1910): The forgotten Archaeologist - An interview with Mr. Jake Wilson and British Museum. (1970 Department of Western Asiatic Antiquities: Assyrian Palace Reliefs p. 16)

See also: Book Review:"The Buried Book: The Loss and Rediscovery of the Great Epic of Gilgamesh" By David Damrosch Courtesy of the Wahshington Post 4 March 2007 By Michael Dirda

• The third great figure in Damrosch's story of the rediscovery of Gilgamesh is Hormuzd Rassam, a Chaldean Christian who served as Layard's second-in-command, attended Oxford and later headed up archaeological expeditions for the British Museum. According to Andrew George, a leading modern figure in Babylonian studies, Rassam is "an unsung hero of Assyriology." Why unsung? Damrosch -- no doubt rightly, if somewhat tendentiously -- points to racial, i.e. "Orientalist," prejudice as the reason for his neglect. Rassam wasn't really, you know, quite the right sort, even though he grew to be more English than the English, serving in the diplomatic corps and living long enough to see his daughter become a star of the Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. But Damrosch makes clear that the man's wide-ranging archaeological discoveries were consistently undervalued or callously ascribed to others. At the end of his life, Rassam was even compelled to bring a suit against the Egyptologist E.A. Wallis Budge, who falsely accused him of selling artifacts.

Examples of Political Rewriting of Modern History

A Dirty Little Secret by Moshe Dann October 1, 2009

Every time someone writes, speaks of ‘Palestinians’ a myth is reinforced

Israel eventually negotiated an armistice in 1949...

Arabs who left homes and property in Israel and many from other countries who joined Arab armies and did not want to return, remained in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, most as "refugees" under the care of UNRWA.

This heterogeneous population was called "Arab refugees," not "Palestinians," because at the time there was no such group, or people.

called "Arab refugees" was because there were many other refugees in Palestine,.. Hundreds of thousands of Jewish refugees from Arab countries streamed into Israel. UNRWA offered no aid...

The designation "Palestinian" did not become widely accepted until after the war in 1967...

As the PLO launched mega-terrorist attacks around the world, "Palestinianism" became accepted, backed by the Arab League, Muslim and "non-aligned" countries, and the United Nations.

As the proportion of anti-Israel countries in the UN grew, "Palestinians" were given more and more recognition, support and legitimacy, unlike any other group.

And the fraud worked! It worked so well because the world's media accepted the Palestinians' self-definition and their cause.

Every time someone writes or speaks of "Palestinians" it reinforces this myth.

United Nations Farce Durban II R.P. BenDedek Apr 17, 2009

I think it is time for us to realise that there is something going on in the United Nations that is working within an agenda far removed from Democratic Principles and Personal Freedoms that we expect.

It looks like law, but it's just politics Warren Goldstein October 15, 2009

Colonel Richard Kemp (the former commander of British forces in Afghanistan), who said, "From my knowledge of the IDF and from the extent to which I have been following the current operation, I do not think there has ever been a time in the history of warfare when an army has made more efforts to reduce civil casualties and deaths of innocent people than the IDF is doing today in Gaza."

Media Psychoses and a Mental Press R.P. BenDedek Nov 10, 2009

To put it in the words of the Article Title previously mentioned, we need to make sure that we are not 'obsessive and compulsive' in our political and social judgements.

Intolerance on the Temple Mount David Kirshenbaum September 27, 2009

I was standing in that holiest of places, which generations of Jews for 2,000 years could only dream of visiting, I was forbidden to pray. Simply moving my lips in whispered prayer could be grounds for removal. Why? Because I am a Jew. And only a Muslim can pray on the holiest site in Judaism. A Jew may not.

DURING THE War of Independence in 1948, the Old City of Jerusalem fell to the Jordanians. Nearly 1,500 Jews, including many women and children, were killed.

In June 1967, when Egypt, Syria and Jordan embarked on a war to annihilate the Jewish state, Israel recaptured Jerusalem's Old City.

But then, in a mind-boggling display of attempted appeasement of an enemy that just days before had sought Israel's destruction, defense minister Moshe Dayan decided to allow the Muslim religious council, the Wakf, to retain administrative authority over the Temple Mount. Thus, a truly bizarre and unacceptable situation developed.

Waging Diplomatic War Caroline Glick October 23, 2009

The UNHRC's resolution effectively delegitimized Israel's right to exist by denying that it has a right to defend its territory and its people from illegal aggression carried out by an illegal terrorist organization.

Mohamed ElBaradei, the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency's virulently anti-Israel chairman, announced a deal has been reached between Iran and the US, Russia and France regarding Iran's nuclear program.

But now that the administration has agreed to an accord that effectively transforms America into a facilitator of Iran's nuclear weapons program, the time has come for Israel to start voicing its objections.

Articles & Newsletters: Organisations Supporting Israel

R.P. BenDedek

Email: rpbendedek@hotmail.com

• Law, Rules of Evidence & Archaeology Part 1

R.P.BenDedek is the Author of 'The King's Calendar: The Secret of Qumran' and a guest columnist at Magic City Morning Star News.

"The King's Calendar" [ on sale - while the economic recession is on], is a chronological study of the historical books of the Bible (Kings and Chronicles), Josephus, Seder Olam Rabbah, and the (Essene) Damascus Document of The Dead Sea Scrolls. See Chapter Precis page.

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