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February 24, 2008

BAR, Controversy and Quote Mining

During a period of nearly thirty-five years Biblical Archaeology Review (BAR) and the Journal of Biblical Literature (JBL) sustained my interests in the ancient near east and in the Hebrew Bible. I read nearly every article in both. On a couple of occasions during that time period, I exchanged views with one or another author. These publications are radically different. BAR is a magazine that targets lay readers with news and discussion of archaeology related to the Bible. Hershel Shanks, who I know, but not well, is the publisher of BAR. Shanks has often used BAR to foster controversy, sometimes when there really was controversy and sometimes when there wasn't. JBL is a scholarly outlet, a journal, of the Society of Biblical Literature of which most Biblical scholars in North American are members. I am also a member of the Society of Biblical Literature.

It appears that Shanks is now "quote mining" scholars in his pursuit of controversy. The latest online pre-publications issue of BAR quotes Eric Cline, actually speaking of "amateur enthusiasts," as if Cline had been addressing the work of professional archaeologist Eilat Mazar. Chris Heard spells it out in some detail and gives all the supporting links. I commented on Cline's remark in a post last November.

I have a nostalgic affection for BAR, but this kind of gross misrepresentation is unacceptable anywhere and therefore it is unacceptable in BAR. I join those who are calling upon Shanks to print and post a retraction.

Posted by Duane Smith at February 24, 2008 10:01 AM | Read more on Archaeology |

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Posted by: James McGrath at February 25, 2008 10:17 AM

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