Knowledge Must be Accompanied by Faith—part 1

Knowledge Must be Accompanied by Faith—part 1

            I have been reading and re-reading a couple of Books by Jonathan L. Friedmann.  They are Music in Biblical Life and Music in the Hebrew Bible.  Friedman is a music professor of Jewish music history and also a practicing Jewish cantor.  He is very knowledgeable in the area of Jewish music and music in the Hebrew Bible.  I was surprised that a Jewish historian would state that the Hebrew Bible is “…a document of biased construction and mythological content Music in Biblical Life p. 8 and “Since the nineteenth century textural critics have questioned the veracity of numbers of biblical episodes, including a few involving music.  Most significant for our purposes are the verses sung at the Red Sea (Song of the Sea) and the musical activities of King David, both of which are folk traditions rather than historical facts.” Music in Biblical Life, p. 8.  

                Friedmann further complicates his distrust in the authenticity of the Hebrew Bible by going on record that he believes that “The exodus story, as presented in the books of Exodus and Numbers, has long been doubted.”  Music in Biblical Life, p. 9.  It is one thing to state that higher critics doubt the veracity of Scripture, but is another for an author who is so knowledgeable of the Hebrew and Aramaic texts to not defend its authenticity.